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/suÂ·piÂ·naÂ·tion/ (sooâ³pÄ­-naÂ´shun) [L. supinatio ] the act of assuming the supine position, or the state of being supine. Applied to the hand, the act of turning the palm forward (anteriorly) or upward, performed by lateral rotation of the forearm. Applied to the foot, it generally implies movements resulting in raising of the medial margin of the foot, hence of the longitudinal arch.
This is the supine position, and so this movement is supination. Again, keeping the elbow and shoulder still, flip your hand into its front, palm down. This is the prone position, and so this movement is named pronation. These terms also apply to the whole body â when lying flat on the back, the body is supine.