Posterior compartment of forearm

The posterior compartment of the forearm (Extensor compartment of forearm) contains the following muscles:

• Brachioradialis
• Superficial
  • extensor carpi radialis longus
  • extensor carpi radialis brevis
  • extensor carpi ulnaris
• Intermediate
  • extensor digitorum
  • extensor digiti minimi
• Deep
  • abductor pollicis longus
  • extensor pollicis brevis
  • extensor pollicis longus
  • extensor indicis
  • supinator
  • anconeus

The muscles of the posterior compartment of the forearm are innervated by the radial nerve and median nerve of the brachial plexus. The radial nerve arises from the posterior cord of the plexus, while the median nerve has contributions from both the lateral and medial cords. The somatomotor fibers of the radial nerve branch from the main radial nerve at the level of the radial groove of the humerus.

A lateral part of the posterior compartment of the forearm includes the "lateral wad" muscles; brachioradialis and extensores radiales.