Structure/Morphology
The triceps brachii tendon is the long flat tendon that attaches the muscle bellies of the medial, lateral, and long heads of the triceps brachii muscle to the superior end of the olecranon of ulna and the antebrachial fascia.
The proximal end of the tendon begins in the middle region of the muscle, posterior to the distal third of the humerus, where the three heads of the triceps brachii converge to form this single tendon. The triceps brachii tendon can be split into two laminae:
- the superficial lamina is formed by the tendinous components of the lateral and long heads of triceps brachii;
- the deep lamina is formed by the tendinous component of the medial head of triceps brachii.
At the distal end of the triceps brachii tendon, the two laminae merge and attach to the superior end of the olecranon of ulna and the antebrachial fascia.
Related parts of the anatomy
Anatomical Relations
The triceps brachii tendon is located posterior (superficial) to the anconeus muscle and the subtendinous bursa of triceps brachii muscle.
Function
The triceps brachii tendon attaches the muscle bellies of the medial, lateral, and long heads of the triceps brachii to the superior end of the olecranon of ulna and the antebrachial fascia.
This insertion site allows the triceps brachii muscle to be able to extend the forearm at the elbow joint.
List of Clinical Correlates
- Test motor and sensory functions of C7 and C8 spinal nerves.
