The triceps brachii is a major muscle located on the back of the upper arm. It’s commonly referred to simply as the triceps. This muscle is primarily responsible for extending the elbow, which means it helps straighten the arm. The triceps brachii has three parts or “heads” — hence the name “tri” in triceps. These are the long head, medial head, and lateral head.
Each head of the triceps has a specific origin point on the arm. The long head originates from just below the socket of the shoulder blade, the lateral head starts from the upper part of the humerus (the bone of the upper arm), and the medial head also begins on the humerus but lower down and more towards the body. All three heads converge into a single tendon that attaches to the ulna, one of the forearm bones.
The function of the triceps extends beyond just straightening the arm. It plays an integral role in various movements of the arm and shoulder. For instance, when you push something away from your body or perform a pressing movement like a bench press, the triceps are heavily involved. This makes the triceps crucial not just for day-to-day activities but also in many sports and exercises.
Strengthening the triceps is important for overall upper body strength and aesthetics. Strong triceps contribute to better performance in sports involving throwing and hitting, and they also help in achieving a balanced, toned look for the arms. To target this muscle in workouts, exercises like triceps dips, push-ups, and overhead triceps extensions are particularly effective. These exercises help in enhancing muscle tone and can improve joint stability in the elbow and shoulder.