Anconeus Muscle Action. The Triceps brachii muscle is by far the major muscle responsible for elbow extension. Originates from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.
Take a closer look here in our atlas. It is blended with the fibers of the triceps brachii and the two muscles can be indistinguishable. With increasing elbow flexion angle the anconeus muscle becomes eccentrically stretched.
Take a closer look here in our atlas.
Another more extensive EMG study also suggested and supported the hypothesis that the anconeus muscle is active during elbow extension but less with increasing elbow flexion Praagman et al 2010. The triceps brachii muscle is the prime extensor of the forearm at the elbow joint with assistance from the anconeus muscle but is. The major argument seems to be one of whether or not the anconeus is an independent muscle or if it is simply a continuation of the triceps muscle. Anconeus serves to make minute movements with the radius on the ulna.
