KnowraTricepsTricepsA triceps is a muscle with three heads. The triceps brachii, on the back of the upper arm, extends the elbow.BriefConnectTriceps brachii: The three-headed muscle on the back of the upper arm that straightens the elbow. This is the specific muscle most commonly meant by “triceps.”Skeletal muscle: Muscle tissue attached to the skeleton that produces voluntary movement and helps maintain posture. The triceps is a skeletal muscle controlled primarily by voluntary motor commands.Triceps extension: A resistance exercise that straightens the elbow against an external load. It directly trains the triceps through its principal joint action.Biceps brachii: A two-headed muscle at the front of the upper arm that flexes the elbow and supinates the forearm. It chiefly bends the elbow, opposing the triceps’ extension action.Elbow extension: The movement that straightens the elbow by increasing the angle between the upper arm and forearm. The triceps brachii is the principal muscle producing this movement.Muscle head: A distinct proximal portion of a muscle with its own origin. The name “triceps” describes a muscle organized into three such portions.Close-grip bench press: A bench-press variation using a narrower hand position that increases the triceps’ contribution. It loads the triceps during both elbow extension and pressing.Brachialis: A muscle deep to the biceps brachii that is a powerful elbow flexor. It flexes the elbow rather than extending it.Long head of triceps brachii: The triceps brachii head that originates from the scapula and crosses the shoulder joint. Its shoulder-crossing origin gives it actions beyond elbow extension.Olecranon: The prominent proximal projection of the ulna that forms the tip of the elbow. The triceps tendon attaches here to extend the elbow.Show all 21