Which muscle extends the elbow?

Prepare for the NHI Eastern Kinesiology Test with our comprehensive quiz. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and detailed explanations. Ready yourself for success!

Multiple Choice

Which muscle extends the elbow?

Explanation:
Elbow extension is produced by the triceps brachii, a muscle on the back of the upper arm. It has three heads that come together to insert on the olecranon of the ulna, and when they contract they pull the forearm straight, increasing the angle at the elbow. The biceps brachii, by contrast, flexes the elbow and also supinates the forearm, so it does not extend the elbow. Latissimus dorsi and deltoid mainly move the shoulder joint (with different actions like extension, adduction, or abduction depending on the part), not the elbow joint. So the muscle that extends the elbow is the triceps brachii.

Elbow extension is produced by the triceps brachii, a muscle on the back of the upper arm. It has three heads that come together to insert on the olecranon of the ulna, and when they contract they pull the forearm straight, increasing the angle at the elbow. The biceps brachii, by contrast, flexes the elbow and also supinates the forearm, so it does not extend the elbow. Latissimus dorsi and deltoid mainly move the shoulder joint (with different actions like extension, adduction, or abduction depending on the part), not the elbow joint. So the muscle that extends the elbow is the triceps brachii.

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