Triceps

The triceps muscle is also known as the Triceps Brachii. The triceps accounts for approximately 20 percent of the upper arm's muscle mass.

Anatomy of the Triceps

The triceps are made up of three heads. The three heads have the following names and origins:

• The "Long triceps head": infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula - The long head in the triceps muscle is the largest, and longest, running down the inside of the arm along the humerus,
• The "Lateral triceps head": posterior shaft of the humerus, lateral and superior to the radial groove - The lateral head is responsible for that "horseshoe" shape you can see in well developed triceps muscles, and
• The "Medial triceps head": posterior shaft of the humerus, medial and inferior to the radial groove - The medial triceps muscle head is smaller and located in the center of the triceps muscle.

The fibers converge to a single tendon to insert onto the olecranon process of the ulna.

Functions of the Triceps

The triceps muscle has two main jobs. The first job is to extend the arm. All three triceps muscle heads are used in this job.

The second job the triceps muscle has is to bring the arm down towards the body (with the help of the Latissimus Dorsi). This role is reserved for the long head of the triceps muscle only.

You will need the triceps when you are writing or pushing a door closed.

The best exercises for the triceps are the triceps extension especially the overhead triceps extension. Triceps dips and the triceps stretch are also great for the triceps.

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