Supinator (left) (Musculus supinator)

Layer: Muscles

Educational content only — not medical advice.

Anatomy

A deep muscle at the forearm base wrapping two layers around the radial neck, with the radial deep branch (posterior interosseous nerve) passing between them — the classic entrapment point of radial-tunnel syndrome.

Origin & insertion

Lateral epicondyle, radial collateral and annular ligaments and the supinator crest of the proximal ulna.

Action

Supinates the forearm slowly under load — it owns slow heavy supination; the biceps generates fast supination.

Innervation

Radial nerve — posterior interosseous branch (C5–C6).

Clinical notes

Nerve entrapment between its layers begins with finger-extensor weakness without wrist drop — distinguishing partial from complete deep-branch palsy is decisive before surgery.

Related structures

Educational references

FAQ

What is the role of the Supinator (left)?

A deep muscle at the forearm base wrapping two layers around the radial neck, with the radial deep branch (posterior interosseous nerve) passing between them — the classic entrapment point of radial-tunnel syndrome.

Why is the Supinator (left) clinically important?

Nerve entrapment between its layers begins with finger-extensor weakness without wrist drop — distinguishing partial from complete deep-branch palsy is decisive before surgery.

Source & license

BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details