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The triceps, or triceps brachii, is a large muscle found at the back of the upper arm in humans and other 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 bundles of muscles, or heads, which originate just below the shoulder blade and attach to the elbow. These three heads are the medial, lateral, and long head. The triceps brachii gets its name from the Latin tri meaning three, and cephalus meaning head.
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Triceps brachii
The triceps brachii is a large, thick muscle on the dorsal part of the upper arm. It often appears as the shape of a horseshoe on the posterior aspect of the arm. The triceps is an extensor muscle of the elbow joint and an antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles. It can also fixate the elbow joint when the forearm and hand are used for fine movements, e.g. when writing.
The triceps brachii gets its name from the Latin "three-headed muscle of the arm". It consists 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 muscle contracts when the elbow is straightened and expands when the 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 long head 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 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 side. 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.
The triceps brachii can be trained in a variety of different ways. It can be worked out in isolation or with compound elbow extension movements. It can also be contracted statically to keep the arm straight 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.
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The three heads
The triceps, or triceps brachii, is a large muscle on the back of the upper limb of many vertebrates. The name triceps means "three heads", referring to the three bundles of muscles that make up the triceps. These three heads are the medial, lateral, and long head. All three heads cross the elbow joint, with the long head also crossing the shoulder joint.
The medial head is located on the inner side of the back of the arm. It arises from the humerus, just inferior to the groove of the radial nerve, and from the dorsal surface of the humerus. It is involved in all forms of forearm extension and is innervated by the ulnar nerve.
The lateral head is located on the outer side of the back of the arm. It 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 high-intensity force.
The long head runs from the shoulder blade down along the length of the humerus. It arises from the infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula and extends distally anterior to the teres minor and posterior to the teres major. Because it attaches to the scapula, the long head also acts on the shoulder joint. It is the muscle responsible for the extension of the elbow joint and assists with extending the arm back behind the body.
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Elbow extension
The triceps muscle is an extensor muscle of the elbow joint. It is the muscle principally responsible for the extension of the elbow joint (straightening of the arm). The triceps can be worked through either isolation or compound elbow extension movements.
Isolation exercises include lying triceps extensions, behind-the-back arm extensions, cable push-downs, and standing triceps "kickbacks". These exercises primarily target the triceps muscle and help in strengthening and building the muscle.
Compound exercises, on the other hand, involve multiple muscle groups and include pressing movements like push-ups, bench presses, close-grip bench presses, tricep dips, and military presses. These exercises provide a more comprehensive workout routine and help develop overall strength and stability.
It is important to maintain proper form and technique during elbow extension exercises to avoid injuries and maximise the effectiveness of the workout. Incorrect form can lead to elbow pain and potential long-term issues. For example, when performing tricep extensions, it is recommended to maintain a perpendicular angle between the upper arm and the ground, creating a safer and more efficient range of motion.
Additionally, it is advised to use appropriate weights during exercises. Starting with lighter weights and gradually progressing can help prevent injuries and build muscle effectively.
Overall, elbow extension exercises are an excellent way to strengthen and develop the triceps muscle, contributing to overall upper body strength and stability.
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Shoulder joint
The triceps muscle is a large muscle found at the back of the upper arm in humans. 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 muscle segments, or heads, which are the medial, lateral, and long heads. The triceps brachii gets its name from the Latin "tri", meaning three, and "brachii", referring to the arm. These three heads all attach to the elbow and have separate short tendons that attach the muscle heads to the arm bones where they originate. The triceps muscle contracts when the elbow is straightened and expands when the elbow is bent.
The long head of the triceps is of particular interest when discussing the shoulder joint. This is because, in addition to crossing the elbow joint, the long head also crosses the shoulder joint. The long head 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 gets a further contraction when the arm is behind the torso due to how it crosses the shoulder joint.
The triceps muscle as a whole is involved in active extension, which occurs as a result of the contraction of the triceps brachii muscle and the relaxation of the biceps brachii. The triceps brachii is most active in pushing or thrusting movements, as well as supporting body weight on the hands with the elbows semi-flexed. For example, when using the arms to lift oneself up from a chair. The medial head of the triceps is active in all forms of forearm extension, while the long and lateral heads are only significantly active during extension at the elbow joint.
The triceps can be strengthened through various exercises, which can be particularly useful following injury. Initially, light or no resistance is used to improve contraction without causing further pain or injury. As strength improves, more resistance and challenging exercises can be introduced.
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Triceps tendon
The triceps tendon is an important component of the triceps muscle, which is a large muscle located on the back of the upper arm in humans. The triceps muscle is responsible for elbow extension and is an antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles. It has three heads: the medial, lateral, and long head, which converge into a single tendon that inserts onto the olecranon process of the ulna. This insertion point is where the triceps tendon attaches to the bone.
The triceps tendon plays a crucial role in the function of the triceps muscle. It transmits the force generated by the muscle to the bone, enabling elbow extension and other movements. The tendon is a strong, fibrous tissue that can withstand significant tension during muscle contractions. However, it is susceptible to injuries, such as tendonitis and ruptures, which can result in pain and weakness in the elbow.
Distal triceps tendon rupture, or complete tear, is a rare injury that occurs when the triceps tendon detaches from its attachment point on the olecranon. This injury typically results in weakness or complete loss of elbow extension. Risk factors for distal triceps tendon rupture include chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and chronic steroid use. Treatment for complete ruptures often involves surgery, followed by postoperative rehabilitation, including immobilization and progressive strengthening exercises.
Understanding the anatomy and function of the triceps tendon is crucial for diagnosing and treating injuries effectively. The recognition of distinct insertion points and footprints aids in surgical planning and avoiding complications during operations involving the posterior elbow. Overall, the triceps tendon is an essential component of the triceps muscle, contributing to its ability to produce elbow extension and other movements in the human body.
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Frequently asked questions
The triceps, or triceps brachii, are large muscles found at the back of the upper arm in humans and other vertebrates. They run from the top of the shoulder to the elbow.
The three heads of the triceps brachii are the medial head, the lateral head, and the long head.
The triceps are the main muscles controlling the movements of the elbow, facilitating extension of the forearm at the elbow joint. They are also involved in fixing the elbow joint during fine movements of the forearm and hand, such as writing.
Some exercises that target the triceps include lying triceps extensions, behind-the-back arm extensions, cable push-downs, and tricep dips.
