The posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) has been used as a synonym or immediate continuation of the deep branch of the radial nerve as it emerges in the posterior compartment of the forearm. Its origin is not clear either, being described as a posterior interosseous nerve to its proximal, intermediate or distal path to the supinator muscle. The objective of this review is to detail the vision of various authors regarding the origin and path of the PIN, proposing a correct terminology for these structures. A bibliographic review of several texts and some articles used for the teaching of human anatomy, published between the 1800s and the present day, was carried out. In the search, inclusion criteria were determined that considered human anatomy, written in Spanish, French or English and that alluded to the PIN. After the initial exploration, 18 books were located, coming from France, Russia, Spain, Argentina, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, India and Mexico. A more precise description of the PIN, in terms of origin, path and function, is that postulated by the French literature, corresponding to a terminal origin of the deep branch of the radial nerve, after emitting its muscular branches. This thin nerve runs attached to the interosseous membrane to then advance through the fourth extensor compartment, distributing itself in the dorsal carpal joints to which it innervates sensitively and proprioceptively.

KEY WORDS: Posterior Interosseous Nerve; Posterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome; Deep Branch of the Radial Nerve.

PÉREZ-MÉRIDA, L.; ARAVENA, R.; MELO, R. & OLAVE, E. Posterior interosseous nerve: Origin, location and nerve path. A review. Int. J. Morphol., 39(6):1769-1775, 2021.