Nerves of Leg

Question 1

Saphenous

Answer 1

Origin: Femoral

Course: Descends with femoral vessels through femoral triangle and adductor canal and then descends with great saphenous vein

Distribution: Supplies skin on medial side of ankle and foot

Question 2

Sural

Answer 2

Origin: Usually arises from branches of both tibial and common fibular nerves

Course : Descends between heads of gastrocnemius and becomes superficial at middle of leg: descends with small saphenous vein and passes inferior to lateral malleolus to lateral side of foot

Distribution: supplies skin on posterior and lateral aspects of leg and lateral side of foot

Question 3

Tibial

Answer 3

Origin: Sciatic nerve

Course: Forms as sciatic bifurcates at apex of popliteal fossa: descends through popliteal fossa and lies on politeus: runs inferiorly on tibialis posterior with posterior tibial vessels: terminates beneath flexor retinaculum by dividing into medial and lateral plantar nerves

Distribution: Supplies posterior muscles of leg and knee joint

Question 4

Common Fibular

Answer 4

Origin: Sciatic Nerve

Course: Forms as sciatic bifurcates at apex of popliteal fossa and follows medial border of biceps femoris and its tendon: passes over posterior aspect of head of fibula and then winds around neck of fibula deep to fibularis longus, where it divides into deep and superficial fibular nerves

Distribution: Supplies skin on lateral part of posterior aspect of leg via the lateral sural cutaneous nerve: also supplies knee joint via its articular branch

Question 5

Superficial Fibular

Answer 5

Origin: Common fibular nerve

Course: Aries between fibularis longus and neck of fibula and descends in lateral compartment of leg: pierces deep fascia at distal third of eg to become subcutaneous

Distribution: Supplies fibularis longus and brevis and skin on distal third of anterior surface of leg and dorsum of foot

Question 6

Deep Fibular

Answer 6

Origin: Common fibular nerve

Course: Arises between fibularis longus and neck of fibula: passes through extensor digitorum longus and descends on interosseous membrane: crosses distal end of tibia and enters dorsum of foot

Distribution: Supplies anterior muscles of leg, dorsum of foot and skin of first interdigital cleft: sends articular branches to joints it crosses