Difference Between Biceps And Triceps

What Are Biceps?

The biceps branchii commonly referred to as biceps is located in the anterior compartment of the arm. The biceps muscles run from the front of the shoulders to the elbow. It works across three joints and is able to generate movements in glenohumeral (shoulder), elbow and radio-ulnar joints. The biceps are responsible for elbow flexion (curling the arm up and down) forearm supination (turning the arm in and out) and to a lesser extent, shoulder flexion (raising the arm).

 The biceps consists of two heads, the long and the short head which they arise proximally and joint to attach to the radius as biceps tendon. Although the heads work in tandem to move the forearm, they are automatically distinct, with no conjoined fibres. Both heads are activated during bicep exercises, but respond differently to various movements.

• The long head originates from a cavity in the scapula called the glenoid. It passes through the shoulder joint to the upper arm through a groove in the humerus (large bone of the upper arm).
• The short head originates from a projection on the scapula called the coracoids and runs alongside the long head on the inside of the arm.

What You Need To Know About Biceps

• The term ‘’biceps’’ was originated from the Latin word ‘musculus’ which means the ‘’little mouse’’.
• Biceps is the muscle which is made up of two muscles bundles.
• Biceps are also called as the ‘’biceps branchii’’.
• The biceps is a muscle located on the front of your upper arm.
• Biceps is referred to as ‘’bi’’ because it’s made up of two distinct heads- a longer outer head and a shorter inner head.
• Both heads originate from the scapula, commonly referred to as the shoulder blade. They insert on the radial tuberosity which is a small protrusion of bone just beyond the elbow.
• The biceps are the smaller of the upper arm muscles, second to the triceps.
• Biceps are responsible for forearm rotation and moving the elbow and shoulder.
• Biceps functions as a flexor, responsible for the pulling action and decreasing the angle between the forearm and the upper arm.
• To develop the biceps, one needs to do the type of exercises that bring the weight closer to the body.  
• The pulling action is shown by the Biceps.

What Are Triceps?

The triceps branchii is a large muscle on the back of the upper limb of humans or many vertebrates. The triceps branchii gets its name because it contains three muscle ‘heads’ or points of origin. These include the: Medial head, Lateral head or Long head.

The triceps originates just below the socket of the scapula (shoulder blade) and at two distinct areas of the humerus, the bone of the upper arm. It extends downward and inserts on (attaches to) the upper part of the ulna, in the forearm. It is the muscle principally responsible for extension of the forearm upon the elbow joint (straightening of the arm), in opposition to the biceps brachii. In addition, its long head contributes to the extension and adduction of the arm at the shoulder joint.

What You Need To Know About Triceps

• The term ‘’triceps’’ also originated from the two Latin words ‘’tri’’ meaning ‘’three’’ and ‘’ceps’’ meaning ‘’heads’’.  
• Triceps is the muscle which is made up of three muscle bundles.
• Triceps is also referred to as ‘’triceps branchii’’.
• The triceps is a muscle located on the back of your upper arm.
• Triceps is referred to as ‘’tri’’ because it’s made up of three distinct heads- a medial (middle), lateral (side) and long head.
• The long head originates from the rear of the shoulder blade whereas the lateral and medial heads originate from the lateral (side) and posterior (rear) surface of the humerus or upper arm bone. All three heads insert (attach) on the rear of your elbow on a small protrusion of bone called the olecranon process.
• The triceps are the bigger of the upper arm muscles.
• Triceps extends the elbow and moves the elbow and the shoulder but in the opposite direction as the biceps.
• Triceps functions as an extensor, responsible for the pushing action and increasing the angle between the forearm and the upper arm.
• To develop the triceps, one needs to do the types of exercises that include pushing the weight away from our body.  
• The pushing action is shown by the triceps.

Also Read: Difference Between Tendon And Ligaments

Difference Between Biceps And Triceps In Tabular Form