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Supinator

Contents

Anatomy

 

Supinator - posterolateral view
Supinator - posterior view
Supinator - anterior view

General information

  • This section is strictly limited to anatomy, you might be looking for clinical relevant information which is found under the clinical chapters -- muscles section, click here to go to that page

Position

  • Deep

Origin

  • Medial epicondyle humerus
  • Radial collateral ligament
  • Ligament anulari radii
    • Dorsal side
  • Crista musculi supinatoris ulnae

Insertion

  • Proximal 1/3 of radius
    • Posterior, lateral and anterior aspect

Main function

  • Elbow
    • Supination

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental
    • C5-C7
  • Peripheral
    • Radial nerve

Arterial supply

  • Radial artery
  • Posterior interosseus artery

Palpation

  • Patient position
    • Sitting
  • Ask the patient to rest the arm in their lap with the elbow joint in flexion and pronation
  • Grab the brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis between the thumb and index finger
  • Palpate deeper towards the radius between these muscles and the extensor digitorum to localize the supinator
  • Ask the patient to supinate the elbow while you feel for contraction

Strength test

  • Patient position
    • Sitting
  • Stand behind the patient and place both the patient's shoulders and elbows in extension
  • Fixate the patient's elbow with your one hand while you place the other hand just proxmial to the wrist dorsoradially
    • Give resistance towards pronation so that the patient is giving force towards supination