Triceps Brachi

Authors

Affiliations

Nathaniel Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Triceps brachii lateral head
Triceps brachii Long head
Triceps brachii medial head

Long Head

Origin

Infraglenoid tubercle of scapula¹

Insertion

Olecranon process of Ulna¹

Innervation

Radial N. (C6, C7, C8)¹

Action

• Elbow: Extension¹
• Shoulder: Extension, Adduction¹

Medial Head

Origin

• Posterior surface of humerus (distal to radial groove)¹
• Medial intermuscular septum¹

Insertion

Olecranon process¹

Innervation

Radial N. (C6, C7, C8)¹

Action

Elbow: Extension¹

Lateral Head

Origin

• Posterior surface of humerus (prox to radial groove)¹
• Lateral intermuscular septum¹

Insertion

Olecranon process¹

Innervation

Radial N. (C6, C7, C8)¹

Action

Elbow: Extension¹

Notes

Triceps Reflex

Triceps reflex can be used to assess C7 nerve root²

References

1.

Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.

2.

Hong CG, Nam WD. Reliability and Diagnostic Accuracy of Standard Dermatomes and Myotomes for Determining the Pathologic Level in Surgically Verified Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy. Neurospine. 2022;19(4):1006-1012. doi:10.14245/ns.2244194.097