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The triceps, or triceps brachii, is a large muscle on the back of the upper arm. It is the antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles, and is responsible for extension of the elbow joint. The triceps is composed of three parts: the medial, lateral, and long head.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Triceps, or triceps brachii |
| Location | Back of the upper arm |
| Shape | Horseshoe |
| Function | Extension of the elbow joint |
| Composition | Three parts: medial, lateral, and long head |
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What You'll Learn
- The triceps is an extensor muscle of the elbow joint
- The triceps is an antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles
- The triceps is composed of three heads
- The triceps is a large, thick muscle on the dorsal part of the upper arm
- The triceps is the sole muscle occupying the posterior compartment of the upper arm
The triceps is an extensor muscle of the elbow joint
The triceps is the antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles. This means that the actions of the two muscle groups oppose one another. While the biceps are responsible for forearm flexion, the triceps extend the forearm. When the biceps shorten during contraction, the triceps lengthen in response. The two muscle groups depend on one another to execute everyday functions.
The triceps is the sole muscle occupying the posterior compartment of the upper arm. It often appears in the shape of a horseshoe on the posterior aspect of the arm. The long head fascicle is employed when sustained force generation is demanded, or when there is a need for synergistic control of the shoulder and elbow. The lateral head is used for movements requiring occasional high-intensity force, while the medial fascicle enables more precise, low-force movements.
The triceps is innervated by the radial nerve (C6–C8). Triceps brachii muscle trigger points refer pain mostly up and down the posterior aspect of the arm and to the lateral epicondyle.
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The triceps is an antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles
The triceps is a large muscle on the back of the upper arm. It is also known as the triceps brachii, which is Latin for 'three-headed muscle of the arm'. It is the antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles, meaning that the actions of the two muscle groups oppose one another. While the biceps are responsible for forearm flexion, the triceps extend the forearm. When the biceps shorten during contraction, the triceps lengthen in response. The two muscle groups depend on one another to execute everyday functions.
The triceps is composed of three parts: the medial, lateral, and long head. It is the muscle principally responsible for extension of the elbow joint (straightening of the arm). The long head arises from the infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula. It extends distally anterior to the teres minor and posterior to the teres major. The medial head arises proximally in the humerus, just inferior to the groove of the radial nerve; from the dorsal (back) surface of the humerus; from the medial intermuscular septum; and its distal part also arises from the lateral intermuscular septum. The triceps is the sole muscle occupying the posterior compartment of the upper arm and is innervated by the radial nerve (C6–C8).
The triceps often appears in the shape of a horseshoe on the posterior aspect of the arm. The primary function of the triceps is the extension of the elbow joint. It can also fixate the elbow joint when the forearm and hand are used for fine movements, such as writing. The long head fascicle is employed when sustained force generation is demanded, or when there is a need for synergistic control of the shoulder and elbow. The lateral head is used for movements requiring occasional high-intensity force, while the medial fascicle enables more precise, low-force movements.
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The triceps is composed of three heads
The triceps is a large muscle on the back of the upper arm in many vertebrates. It is also known as the triceps brachii, which means 'three-headed muscle of the arm' in Latin. The triceps is composed of three heads: the medial, the lateral, and the long head. The primary function of the triceps is the extension of the elbow joint, or straightening of the arm. The triceps is the antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles, meaning that the actions of the two muscle groups oppose one another. While the biceps are responsible for forearm flexion, the triceps extend the forearm. The triceps can also fixate the elbow joint when the forearm and hand are used for fine movements, such as writing.
The long head fascicle is used when sustained force generation is demanded, or when there is a need for synergistic control of the shoulder and elbow. The long head arises from the infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula and acts on the shoulder joint. It is involved in retroversion and adduction of the arm. The lateral head is used for movements requiring occasional high-intensity force. The medial fascicle enables more precise, low-force movements. The medial head arises proximally in the humerus, just inferior to the groove of the radial nerve.
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The triceps is a large, thick muscle on the dorsal part of the upper arm
The triceps is the sole muscle occupying the posterior compartment of the upper arm and is innervated by the radial nerve (C6-C8). It often appears in the shape of a horseshoe on the posterior aspect of the arm. It is composed of three heads: the medial, lateral, and long head. The long head arises from the infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula. The medial head arises proximally in the humerus, just inferior to the groove of the radial nerve.
The triceps is the muscle principally responsible for extension of the elbow joint (straightening of the arm). It can also fixate the elbow joint when the forearm and hand are used for fine movements, such as writing. The lateral head is used for movements requiring occasional high-intensity force, while the medial fascicle enables more precise, low-force movements.
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The triceps is the sole muscle occupying the posterior compartment of the upper arm
The long head fascicle of the triceps is employed when sustained force generation is required, or when there is a need for synergistic control of the shoulder and elbow. The lateral head, on the other hand, is used for movements requiring occasional high-intensity force. The medial fascicle enables more precise, low-force movements. The long head also acts on the shoulder joint and is involved in retroversion and adduction of the arm.
The triceps often appears in the shape of a horseshoe on the posterior aspect of the arm. It is innervated by the radial nerve (C6-C8). Triceps brachii muscle trigger points refer pain mostly up and down the posterior aspect of the arm and to the lateral epicondyle. This pain may also radiate towards the upper part of the suprascapular region.
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Frequently asked questions
The triceps are found on the dorsal side of the upper arm.
The triceps are responsible for extension of the elbow joint (straightening of the arm).
The name triceps means 'three-headed muscle of the arm' in Latin.
