---
title: "Intertubercular Groove (Sulcus) | Anatomy I"
description: "Intertubercular groove (sulcus) is the humerus channel for the biceps tendon. It matters in Anatomy and Physiology I when you study upper limb bones."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/anatomy-physiology/key-terms/intertubercular-groove-sulcus"
type: "key-term"
subject: "Anatomy and Physiology I"
unit: "Unit 8"
---

# Intertubercular Groove (Sulcus) | Anatomy I

## Definition

The intertubercular groove, or sulcus, is a long groove on the humerus that holds the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii. In Anatomy and Physiology I, it is a landmark of the upper arm bone.

## What It Is

The intertubercular groove, also called the sulcus or bicipital groove, is a long channel on the proximal humerus. It sits between the greater and lesser tubercles and is easy to miss unless you are looking for the bony landmarks on the upper end of the bone.

In Anatomy and Physiology I, this groove matters because it is not just a random dip in the bone. It is the path used by the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii as that tendon runs from the shoulder region into the arm. The tendon does not attach inside the groove itself, but the groove gives it a place to pass through and stay oriented near the shoulder joint.

That position makes sense if you picture the shoulder as a very mobile joint. The humerus has to move a lot, so the bone surface includes landmarks that guide muscles and tendons without locking them in place. The intertubercular groove sits in a high-motion area and helps organize the route of a major arm muscle tendon.

You will usually see this term when you are identifying the humerus on a diagram, lab specimen, or bone model. If you know the groove is on the anterior proximal humerus between the tubercles, you can locate the surrounding landmarks more quickly too. That makes it easier to tell the difference between the head of the humerus, the tubercles, and the shaft.

A common mistake is to think the groove is the tendon itself. It is not. The groove is the bony depression, while the tendon is the soft tissue structure that runs through or along it. Another way to think about it is that the bone provides the route and the tendon is the moving structure that uses that route.

## Why It Matters

The intertubercular groove shows how bones are built for both structure and movement. In upper limb anatomy, you are not just memorizing names, you are tracking how the shape of a bone matches the muscles and tendons around it. This groove is a good example because it links a visible landmark on the humerus to a specific muscle tendon in the shoulder region.

It also helps you make sense of the anatomy of the shoulder and arm as a whole. The long head of the biceps brachii crosses the shoulder joint, so its tendon needs a stable route near the proximal humerus. When you understand where that route is, the relationships among the humerus, scapula, and biceps become much easier to visualize.

This term also comes up in lab practicals and bone ID questions. If you can point out the intertubercular groove on a humerus model, you are showing that you can use landmarks, not just memorize bone names. That same skill carries over to other upper limb features, like matching a muscle attachment site to the correct bone surface.

## Connections

### Humerus

The intertubercular groove is a landmark on the humerus, so you have to know the bone first before the groove makes sense. When you study the humerus, you are usually identifying its proximal end, shaft, and surface markings. The groove is one of the features that helps you tell the upper arm bone apart from other long bones.

### Biceps Brachii

The long head of the biceps brachii tendon travels through the intertubercular groove. That means the groove is tied directly to one of the main muscles you learn in the upper limb unit. If you are tracing muscle origin, tendon path, or shoulder movement, this landmark gives you a place to anchor the biceps.

### Scapula

The scapula is part of the shoulder region that helps position the humerus and its muscle attachments. Even though the groove is on the humerus, the tendon running through it is connected to the shoulder complex, which includes the scapula. This makes the groove part of a larger movement system, not an isolated bone feature.

### [anatomical neck](/anatomy-physiology/key-terms/anatomical-neck)

The anatomical neck is another proximal humerus landmark, and it sits close to the tubercles and the intertubercular groove. These features are often studied together because they cluster on the same end of the bone. Knowing one landmark helps you orient the others on a diagram or specimen.

## On the AP Exam

A practical exam or lab ID question may show you a humerus and ask you to name the groove between the greater and lesser tubercles. On a quiz, you might need to match the intertubercular groove with the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii or explain why the groove is on the proximal humerus. In a short-answer question, you could be asked to describe how a bony landmark supports a muscle tendon. The move is simple: identify the bone, locate the proximal landmarks, then connect the groove to the biceps tendon path.

## intertubercular groove (sulcus) vs bicipital groove

These terms are commonly used for the same humeral landmark. In Anatomy and Physiology I, you may see either name depending on the textbook or instructor, so do not treat them as different structures. The intertubercular groove is the more formal anatomical name, while bicipital groove points to its relationship with the biceps tendon.

## Key Takeaways

- The intertubercular groove is a long depression on the proximal humerus between the tubercles.
- It provides a pathway for the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii.
- This landmark is useful because it helps you orient the upper end of the humerus on a model or diagram.
- The groove is a bone feature, not the tendon itself, so keep the bony landmark separate from the soft tissue structure.
- It shows up in upper limb anatomy as part of the relationship between the humerus, shoulder region, and biceps brachii.

## FAQs

### What is intertubercular groove (sulcus) in Anatomy and Physiology I?

It is a groove on the proximal humerus that runs between the greater and lesser tubercles. The tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii passes through this area, so it is a useful landmark in upper limb anatomy.

### Is the intertubercular groove the same as the bicipital groove?

Yes, those names are used for the same bony landmark in many anatomy classes. Some sources prefer intertubercular groove, while others say bicipital groove because of the nearby biceps tendon.

### Where is the intertubercular groove located?

It is located on the upper part of the humerus, between the greater and lesser tubercles. If you are looking at a bone model, it sits on the anterior proximal end of the upper arm bone.

### What passes through the intertubercular groove?

The tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii passes through it. That is why the groove is often taught alongside the biceps muscle and the other proximal humerus landmarks.

## Related Study Guides

- [8.2 Bones of the Upper Limb ](/anatomy-physiology/unit-8/2-bones-upper-limb/study-guide/TisVx2uINDAYy67v)

## About This Document

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