Position. The brachial triceps is a muscle of the arm, a region of the upper limb located between the shoulder and the elbow.The arm is made up of two muscle compartments: anterior and posterior. The triceps brachii is located in the posterior compartment (1).

Structure. The triceps brachii is a skeletal muscle, that is to say a muscle placed under the voluntary control of the central nervous system and made up of muscle fibers. A large and fleshy muscle, the triceps brachialis is made up of three heads: a long, a lateral, and a medial (2). The latter is located deep in relation to the other two heads.

Origin. The long head of the brachial triceps fits over the infra-glenoid tubercle, located on the lateral aspect of the scapula, or scapula. The lateral head of the brachial triceps is inserted on the lateral and posterior surfaces of the shaft of the humerus, the central part of the arm bone. The medial head is inserted on the posterior surface of the shaft of the humerus (2).

Termination. The tendons of the three heads of the triceps brachii join together to insert at the level of the olecranon. Located on the upper end of the ulna or ulna, the latter forms the bony protrusion of the elbow (2).

Innervation. The brachial triceps are innervated by the radial nerve from the C6 to C8 cervical vertebrae (2).

The triceps brachii is involved in various movements of the upper limb. The brachial triceps constitute (2):

• a powerful extensor of the forearm,
• a forearm flexor antagonist
• a stabilizer of the shoulder and the adduction of the arm, thanks to the tendon of the long head.

Pain in the arm is frequently felt. The causes of these pains are varied and can be associated with muscles such as the triceps brachii.

Muscle pain without lesions. (5)

• Cramp. Sometimes occurring at the level of the triceps brachii, it corresponds to an involuntary, painful and temporary contraction of a muscle.
• Contracture. It is an involuntary, painful and permanent contraction of a muscle, especially the triceps brachii.

Muscle injuries. The triceps brachii can be damaged in the muscles, with pain.5

• Elongation. First stage of muscle damage, elongation corresponds to a stretching of the muscle caused by micro-tears and resulting in muscle disorganization.
• Breakdown. Second stage of muscle damage, the breakdown corresponds to a rupture of muscle fibers.
• Rupture. The last stage of muscle damage, it corresponds to a total rupture of a muscle.

Tendinopathies. They designate all the pathologies that can occur in the tendons, in particular those associated with the triceps brachii.6 The causes of these pathologies can be varied. The origin can be intrinsic as well with genetic predispositions, as extrinsic, with for example bad positions during the practice of sport.

• Tendinitis: It is an inflammation of the tendons.

Myopathy. It includes all the neuromuscular diseases affecting muscle tissue, including those of the arm. (3)

Drug treatments. Depending on the pathology diagnosed, different treatments may be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation.

Surgical treatment. Depending on the type of condition diagnosed, surgery may be necessary.

Physical treatment. Physical therapies, through specific exercise programs, can be prescribed such as physiotherapy or physiotherapy.

Physical examination. First, a clinical examination is performed in order to observe and assess the symptoms perceived by the patient.

Medical imaging examination. X-ray, CT, or MRI exams can be used to confirm or further the diagnosis.

Popeye sign. When one of the tendons of the biceps brachii ruptures, the muscle can retract. This symptom is called “Popeye’s sign” by comparison to the ball formed by the biceps of the fictional character Popeye. (4)