The M. Triceps Brachii Caput Laterale (Triceps Brachii (Lateral Head)) is a muscle of the upper arm region. It is responsible for elbow extension. This muscle is one of 26 with official SENIAM-recommended surface EMG electrode placement. This page documents the exact electrode position, anatomical attachments and a standardized test movement based on Hermens et al. (2000).
Hermens HJ, Freriks B, Disselhorst-Klug C, Rau G. Development of recommendations for SEMG sensors and sensor placement procedures. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2000;10(5):361-74.
Recording notes per Criswell 2011, site „Triceps“, p. 319
Placement type
Specific site The signal originates predominantly from this muscle.
Signal check
Extend the forearm against resistance.
Crosstalk from
biceps brachii · posterior and middle deltoid
The position above follows SENIAM; the crosstalk and artefact notes apply to surface recording of this muscle in general.
Print-ready for the lab or clinic: 75 pages of protocols (SENIAM + peer-reviewed), plus the SENIAM table, a placement checklist and a sensor comparison sheet as A4 sheets.
Anatomy
OriginPosterior humerus (above radial groove)InsertionOlecranon of the ulna
Test Movement
Elbow extension against resistance
Illustration shows the left side; the set-up is mirrored for the right side.
MVC reference test (Konrad 2005)
Position
Same set-up as the biceps test: seated or kneeling, elbow at about 90°, upper arm slightly abducted.
Fixation
Elbow and trunk fixed as for the biceps.
Resistance
Rigid resistance from above on the wrist (fixed bar or manual), elbow extension against it.
Control exercise
Use the pectoralis major test as a control exercise.
Konrad: "same instruction as biceps" — the only difference is the direction of resistance.
Konrad P. The ABC of EMG. Noraxon; 2005, p. 31. Konrad describes this test at group level; it applies to all muscles of the group. · Why and how to normalise to MVC
Clinical Applications
Common use cases for surface EMG measurement of the M. Triceps Brachii Caput Laterale:
Post-trauma elbow rehabilitation
Biceps/triceps tendinitis monitoring
Workplace ergonomics assessment
Measure M. Triceps Brachii Caput Laterale activity live
The electrode is placed — what next? easyEMG visualises muscle activity in real time, with SENIAM-compliant placement guidance, up to 4 channels at once and biofeedback training right afterwards.
In rehabilitation, the Triceps Brachii (Lateral Head) is typically recorded to track progress and retrain activation.
Where do I place the EMG electrode on the M. Triceps Brachii Caput Laterale?
50% on line between acromion and olecranon, 2cm lateral. Orientation: Parallel to line acromion–olecranon. Based on the official SENIAM recommendations (Hermens et al. 2000).
Which test movement activates the M. Triceps Brachii Caput Laterale?
Elbow extension against resistance. This movement is part of the SENIAM protocol for standardized contraction verification.
Is the M. Triceps Brachii Caput Laterale a SENIAM-recommended muscle?
Yes. The M. Triceps Brachii Caput Laterale is one of 26 muscles for which the SENIAM project has published official surface EMG electrode placement recommendations.
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