What is the function of the triceps brachii?

In our body, each group of muscles has its own function. When we use our arms, we will use the muscles in our arms. The triceps is one of the important muscles. It also plays an important role in our daily life. The stronger the triceps, the stronger our arms will be. So, what are the functions of the triceps? Let’s learn more about it through the following introduction.

Skeletal muscle consists of two parts: the muscle belly and the tendon. The distal end of the muscle has a strong tendon that attaches to the ulna at the elbow. If you stretch your arm as straight as possible, you will feel this tendon tighten. When the triceps brachii contracts, the elbow joint is straightened or the forearm is lowered; when the triceps brachii relaxes, the elbow joint is bent.

The muscle belly is mainly composed of skeletal muscle fibers (i.e. muscle cells) and has contractility. Tendons are made of connective tissue, are non-contractile, and are attached to bones. Some teachers believe that the triceps brachii is named because it has three tendons fixed on three bones. In fact, this is a misunderstanding. The triceps brachii has four tendons instead of three, which shows that skeletal muscles are not named based on the number of tendons they have. There are many principles for naming muscles, and the biceps and triceps are named according to the number of starting points of the muscle.

Because muscles are generally attached to two or more adjacent bone surfaces, they cross one or more joints and cause joint movement when they contract. During the movement, the more fixed end is called the starting point, and the more mobile end is called the end point. For example: the triceps brachii has three heads. The long head starts from the bottom of the scapular glenoid cavity; the lateral head starts from the outer and upper side of the radial nerve groove on the back of the humerus; the medial head starts from the inner and lower side of the radial nerve groove. The three heads merge into a muscle belly and end at the olecranon of the ulna with a flat tendon.

Through the above introduction, we know the functions of the triceps. In order to enhance the strength of our arms, we can exercise the triceps. In addition, the strength of the arms is directly related to the biceps during normal training, so they can be exercised together.