Alec Titan
The triceps, or triceps brachii, is a large muscle found at the back of the upper arm in vertebrates, including humans. It is the muscle primarily responsible for the extension of the elbow joint, or straightening of the arm. The triceps is composed of three heads: the long head, the lateral head, and the medial head. The triceps tendon attaches to the olecranon process, the pointy projection at the end of the ulna bone of the forearm that forms the elbow. The triceps is a voluntary muscle, meaning it is a muscle that humans choose to move.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Triceps, Triceps Brachii |
| Description | Three-headed muscle of the arm |
| Parts | Long head, Lateral head, Medial head |
| Function | Extension of the elbow joint, antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles |
| Innervation | Radial nerve, Ulnar nerve, Axillary nerve |
| Blood Supply | Branches of the deep brachial artery |
| Location | Back of the upper arm |
| Shape | Horseshoe, Fusiform or Spindle-shaped |
| Injuries | Tendonitis, Strains or sprains, Tears |
Explore related products
Tricep anatomy
The triceps, or triceps brachii, is a large, thick muscle on the dorsal part of the upper arm in humans. It often appears in 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, such as writing. The triceps is the only muscle in the posterior compartment of the arm and it represents the only constituent of the posterior muscle group of the arm, spanning almost the entire length of the humerus.
The triceps is subdivided into three different segments, or heads: the long head, the lateral head, and the medial head. Each of the three heads originates at a different location. The long head originates at the infraglenoid tubercle, a ridge along the outermost portion of the scapula (shoulder blade) that connects with the humerus to form the shoulder joint. The medial head originates at the dorsal humerus, inferior to the radial groove and connecting to the intermuscular septum. The lateral head originates from a narrow, linear ridge on the posterior surface of the humerus, just superior to the radial groove. The medial head is overlapped by the long and lateral head of the triceps.
The three heads of the triceps run down the back of the arm and join close to the elbow to form one common tendon. This triceps tendon attaches to the olecranon process, the pointy projection at the end of the ulna bone of the forearm that forms the elbow. The main function of the triceps is to extend the forearm at the elbow joint to straighten the elbow. The triceps is a voluntary muscle, meaning it is a muscle that a person chooses to move. The triceps are made up of skeletal muscle fibres that contract under conscious control.
Muscle Milk: Does it Expire?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tricep functions
The triceps, or triceps brachii, is a three-headed muscle of the arm, consisting of the medial, lateral, and long head. It is the principal muscle responsible for the extension of the elbow joint (straightening of the arm). The triceps brachii is the only muscle in the posterior compartment of the arm, spanning almost the entire length of the humerus.
The triceps brachii 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, such as writing. The triceps can be worked through either isolation or compound elbow extension movements and can contract statically to keep the arm straightened against resistance.
The medial head of the triceps brachii is active in all forms of forearm extension, while the long and lateral heads are only significantly active during extension at the elbow. 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.
Ruptures of the triceps muscle are rare and typically only occur in anabolic steroid users. Distal triceps ruptures are also uncommon and usually occur due to a fall on an outstretched hand or a direct blow to the triceps tendon.
Muscle Meat: What It Is and Why You Need It
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tricep exercises
The triceps is a single muscle with three heads: the long head, the lateral head, and the medial head. It is the muscle primarily responsible for the extension of the elbow joint (straightening 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, such as writing.
There are various exercises that can be done to strengthen the triceps. It is important to start with a warm-up to get the blood flowing to the muscles and increase their temperature, which helps prevent injury. Some examples of warm-up exercises are brisk walking, jogging, and jumping jacks.
Once warmed up, there are several exercises that can be done to target the triceps. It is recommended to incorporate a variety of exercises to target all three heads of the triceps muscle. Here are some examples of exercises that target the triceps:
- Diamond push-ups (also known as triangle push-ups)
- Kickbacks
- Dips
- Overhead tricep extensions
- Tricep rope pushdowns
- Tricep bar pushdowns
- Lying tricep extensions
- Close grip bench press
- Cable push-downs
- Arm extensions behind the back
- Military press
- Static contraction movements (e.g. pullovers, straight-arm pulldowns, and bent-over lateral raises)
These exercises can be done with or without weights, depending on the fitness level of the individual. For beginners, it is recommended to start with bodyweight exercises and gradually increase the intensity and weight as fitness levels improve.
Ligaments and Muscles: What's the Difference?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tricep injuries
The triceps muscle is a large muscle located on the back of the upper arm of many vertebrates. It is responsible for the extension of the elbow joint, allowing the arm to straighten. The triceps tendon connects the triceps muscle to the shoulder blade and elbow bone.
Triceps ruptures are rare but can occur as a result of a sudden forceful elbow contraction in weightlifters or older males with underlying health issues. Ruptures typically occur due to a fall on an outstretched hand, a direct blow to the triceps tendon, or lifting against resistance. Triceps tendon tears are usually associated with pre-existing conditions, drug treatments, or systemic disorders such as anabolic steroid use, endocrine disorders, or renal failure.
Treatment for triceps injuries depends on the severity of the injury. Minor injuries may only require conservative treatment, such as rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medications. More serious injuries, such as ruptures that result in the detachment of the triceps tendon, will require surgical intervention to repair the tendon. After surgery, the elbow is immobilized in a splint for several weeks, followed by range-of-motion and strengthening exercises.
Understanding Your Core Muscles: The Foundation of Your Body
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tricep innervation
The triceps brachii is a three-headed muscle found in the posterior compartment of the arm. It is the muscle principally responsible for the extension of the elbow joint (straightening of the arm). The three heads are the long head, the lateral head, and the medial head. The triceps brachii gets its name from the Latin "tri" meaning three, and "cep" or "ceps" meaning head.
The triceps brachii is innervated by the radial nerve, which gives off a separate branch for each head. The C6 root value of the radial nerve innervates the lateral head, root value C7 innervates the long head, and root value C8 supplies the medial head. The radial nerve originates from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus at the bifurcation with the axillary nerve.
However, more recent studies have shown that in some individuals, the long head of the triceps brachii is innervated by the axillary nerve, and in a small percentage of cases, it receives dual innervation from both the radial nerve and the axillary nerve. In a study of 27 triceps in 15 cadavers, researchers found only radial innervation, contradicting the previous studies. Another study of 10 cadavers found that only one followed the classic radial nerve pattern, with the remaining nine exhibiting varying patterns of radial and axillary nerve innervation.
Understanding the innervation of the long head of the triceps and variations in axillary nerve course is critical to the clinical diagnosis of injury, surgical treatment options, and rehabilitation of axillary nerve injuries.
Neck Muscle Symmetry: Fact or Fiction?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The triceps, or triceps brachii, is a large muscle found at the back of the upper arm in humans.
The triceps is an extensor muscle of the elbow joint and an antagonist of the biceps and brachialis muscles. Its main function is to extend the forearm at the elbow joint to straighten the elbow.
The three muscle segments of the triceps include the long head, the lateral head, and the medial head.
