Logan Steele
The triceps, or triceps brachii, is a muscle with three heads or points of origin: the long, lateral, and medial head. It is a large muscle located on the back of the upper arm in humans and other vertebrates. The triceps is responsible for extending the forearm at the elbow joint and straightening the arm. It also plays a role in shoulder stability and strength, allowing us to perform pushing and pulling movements. The triceps brachii is the only muscle in the posterior compartment of the arm and is an important landmark for surgery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Triceps, Triceps Brachii |
| Description | Three-headed muscle of the arm |
| Parts | Medial, Lateral, Long Head |
| Function | Extension of the forearm at the elbow joint, Extension and adduction of the arm at the shoulder joint |
| Innervation | Radial Nerve, Ulnar Nerve, Axillary Nerve |
| Actions | Contraction when the elbow is straightened, Expansion when the elbow is bent |
| Exercises | Tricep dips, Push-ups, Bench press, Close grip bench press, Military press |
| Rupture | Rare, typically occurs in anabolic steroid users |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Triceps brachii anatomy
The triceps, or triceps brachii, is a three-headed muscle located at the back of the upper arm in humans and other vertebrates. The three heads are the long, lateral, and medial head, which converge into a single tendon that attaches to the ulna, one of the bones in the forearm. The triceps is an extensor muscle of the elbow joint, responsible for the extension of the elbow joint and the straightening of the arm. It is the antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles.
The long head of the triceps brachii arises from the infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula, which is a rough area at the inferior margin of the glenoid fossa. Its attachment extends slightly above to the adjacent glenoid labrum and blends with the glenohumeral capsule of the shoulder joint, contributing to its stability. The long head also crosses the shoulder joint and gets an additional contraction when the arm is behind the torso.
The lateral head originates from a narrow, linear ridge on the posterior surface of the humerus, just superior to the radial groove. A portion of the muscle fibres also arise from the lateral intermuscular septum. Its attachment ascends obliquely, beginning from the lateral border of the humerus behind the deltoid tuberosity. From here, it extends to the surgical neck of the humerus, medial to the insertion of the teres minor and above the attachment for the medial head of the triceps.
The medial head arises proximally in the humerus, just inferior to the groove of the radial nerve. It also arises from the dorsal (back) surface of the humerus and the medial intermuscular septum. The medial head is overlapped by the long and lateral head of the triceps. All three heads of the triceps brachii are classically believed to be innervated by the radial nerve, although some research suggests that the medial head is innerved by the ulnar nerve and the long head by the axillary nerve.
Unlocking Core Strength: The Power of Hips
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Triceps heads
The triceps, or triceps brachii, is a muscle found on the back of the upper limb of vertebrates. It is an extensor muscle of the elbow joint and is the antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles. The triceps is made up of three heads: the long head, the lateral head, and the medial head.
The long head of the triceps brachii is involved in the extension and adduction of the arm at the shoulder joint. It arises from the infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula, which is a rough area at the inferior margin of the glenoid fossa. The long head also crosses the shoulder joint, with an insertion point coming off the scapula. It is the largest of the three heads, making up most of the overall size of the triceps. The long head is also involved in retroversion and adduction of the arm, and helps to stabilise the shoulder joint at the top of the humerus.
The lateral head of the triceps brachii originates from a narrow, linear ridge on the posterior surface of the humerus, just superior to the radial groove. The lateral head is used for movements requiring occasional high-intensity force.
The medial head of the triceps brachii arises proximally in the humerus, just inferior to the groove of the radial nerve. It has a broad origin along the entire posterior surface of the humerus inferior to the radial groove. The medial head is formed predominantly by small type I fibres and motor units. It enables more precise, low-force movements.
It is important to train the triceps properly, targeting all three heads. Common tricep exercises like the tricep kickback and skull crusher typically target one or more heads of the triceps but may be lacking in terms of the triceps' larger range of motion.
Facial Expressions: Muscles Behind Our Emotions
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Triceps functions
The triceps, or triceps brachii, is a large muscle on the back of the upper limb of many vertebrates. It is an extensor muscle of the elbow joint and an antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles. The triceps is made up of three parts: the medial, lateral, and long head. All three heads cross the elbow joint, but the long head also crosses the shoulder joint.
The triceps brachii is the only constituent of the posterior muscle group of the arm, spanning almost the entire length of the humerus. Its main function is the extension of the forearm at the elbow joint. The triceps muscle contracts when the elbow is straightened and expands when the elbow is bent. The long head gets a further contraction when the arm is behind the torso due to how it crosses the shoulder joint. It is the muscle principally responsible for the extension of the elbow joint (straightening of the arm).
The medial head is formed predominantly by small type I fibres and motor units, while the lateral head is made up of large type IIb fibres and motor units. The long head, on the other hand, is a mixture of fibre types and motor units. The medial head is active in all forms of forearm extension, while the lateral head is used for movements requiring occasional high-intensity force. The medial fascicle enables more precise, low-force movements.
The triceps can be worked through either isolation or compound elbow extension movements and can contract statically to keep the arm straightened against resistance. Isolation movements include cable push-downs, lying triceps extensions, and arm extensions behind the back. Examples of compound elbow extension include pressing movements like the push-up, bench press, and dips.
Bulging Muscles: What's Behind the Swell?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Triceps exercises
The triceps is a large muscle on the back of the upper arm, consisting of three parts: the medial, lateral, and long head. Tricep exercises are crucial for functional fitness and overall arm strength. Here are some exercises to target the triceps:
Tricep Dips
Tricep dips are a great way to engage the triceps. To perform this exercise, use parallel bars to lower and lift your body. Keep your torso upright, shoulders down, and elbows close to your body. If you don't have access to parallel bars, you can use the edge of a bench or a chair.
Push-ups
Push-ups strengthen the triceps, chest, and shoulders. Start in a standard plank position and lower and raise your body. Keep your elbows tight to your body. Push-ups are a great remedial exercise to build strength before progressing to weighted exercises.
Standing (or Seated) Dumbbell Tricep Extensions
For this exercise, you can choose to stand or sit on a bench. Begin with a dumbbell overhead and lower the dumbbells behind your head, extending your arms to isolate the triceps. Maintain a slight bend in your elbows throughout the movement, and keep your upper arms stationary.
Cable Push-downs
Cable push-downs are a type of isolation movement that can effectively target the triceps.
Compound Exercises
Compound exercises involve any pressing movements, such as the bench press, close grip bench press, military presses, and tricep dips. By using a closer grip on these exercises, you can isolate the triceps more effectively.
It is important to incorporate stretches into your workout routine to improve flexibility, reduce muscle tension, and enhance your overall range of motion. Remember to prioritise rest and recovery to allow your muscles to repair and rebuild stronger.
Effective Strategies to Reduce Muscle Swelling Quickly
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Triceps injuries
The triceps, or triceps brachii, is a large muscle on the back of the upper arm of many vertebrates. It is responsible for extension of the elbow joint (straightening of the arm). Triceps injuries are common in athletes and sports enthusiasts and may occur suddenly or gradually over time. They may also result from repetitive injury.
Triceps ruptures are rare injuries to the elbow extensor mechanism that most commonly occur as a result of a sudden forceful elbow contraction in weightlifters or older males with underlying systemic illness. Rupture of the distal triceps is the most uncommon rupture in the upper extremity. Rupture is often associated with pre-existing conditions or drug treatments, including anabolic steroid use, systematic endocrine disorders, renal failure, local steroid injections, or falls on an outstretched hand.
To diagnose triceps injuries, a doctor will review a patient's medical history and conduct a physical examination. During the physical exam, the doctor may ask the patient to move their arm in different positions to check for a range of motion and symptoms of pain, weakness, or swelling. If a rupture is suspected, an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment for triceps injuries depends on the nature and seriousness of the injury. Minor injuries may be treated with ice, heat, rest, compression straps, and over-the-counter pain medications. More serious ruptures may require surgical intervention. After surgery, the elbow is immobilized in a long arm splint, with the elbow placed in 30–45 degrees of elbow flexion. Six weeks after the operation, the patient begins with active contraction of the triceps.
Key Words to Describe Cardiac Muscle
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The triceps, or triceps brachii, is a large muscle on the back of the upper limb of many vertebrates. It is an extensor muscle of the elbow joint and an antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles.
The tricep has three heads: the long, lateral, and medial head.
The tricep is responsible for the extension of the elbow joint and the straightening of the arm. It also plays a role in the stability and strength of the shoulder.
Exercises that target the tricep include tricep dips, cable push-downs, lying triceps extensions, and arm extensions behind the back.
The lateral head is used for movements requiring occasional high-intensity force, while the medial head enables more precise, low-force movements.
