Which muscle is located at the back of the upper arm and extends the elbow?

Study for the Muscular System and Skeletal System Exam. Learn with flashcards and multiple choice questions, where each question has explanations and hints. Be well-prepared and confident on your test day!

Multiple Choice

Which muscle is located at the back of the upper arm and extends the elbow?

Explanation:
This question tests recognizing the muscle that extends the elbow and where it sits. The muscle on the back of the upper arm responsible for straightening the elbow is the triceps brachii. It has three heads and inserts on the olecranon of the ulna, so when it contracts it straightens the forearm at the elbow. The biceps brachii sits on the front of the arm and flexes the elbow, opposite the action of the triceps. The deltoid moves the shoulder, not the elbow, and the forearm extensors lie in the forearm rather than the upper arm, so they don’t produce elbow extension from the upper-arm region.

This question tests recognizing the muscle that extends the elbow and where it sits. The muscle on the back of the upper arm responsible for straightening the elbow is the triceps brachii. It has three heads and inserts on the olecranon of the ulna, so when it contracts it straightens the forearm at the elbow. The biceps brachii sits on the front of the arm and flexes the elbow, opposite the action of the triceps. The deltoid moves the shoulder, not the elbow, and the forearm extensors lie in the forearm rather than the upper arm, so they don’t produce elbow extension from the upper-arm region.

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