Which nerve provides sensation to the lateral aspect of the foot?

Which nerve provides sensation to the lateral aspect of the foot?

• A. Sural
• B. Common fibular
• C. Posterior tibial
• D. Anterior tibial

Answer: (A)

The sural nerve is responsible for sensation on the lateral aspect of the foot. It travels down the back of the leg and around the lateral malleolus to supply the lateral border of the foot and heel. It forms from branches of the tibial nerve and the common fibular nerve that join together to become the sural nerve. The posterior tibial nerve covers the sole of the foot, the anterior tibial nerve supplies the dorsum of the foot, and the common fibular nerve mostly covers the dorsolateral leg and parts of the dorsum of the foot, not the lateral sole. So, the sural nerve best explains sensation in that region.

The sural nerve is responsible for sensation on the lateral aspect of the foot. It travels down the back of the leg and around the lateral malleolus to supply the lateral border of the foot and heel. It forms from branches of the tibial nerve and the common fibular nerve that join together to become the sural nerve. The posterior tibial nerve covers the sole of the foot, the anterior tibial nerve supplies the dorsum of the foot, and the common fibular nerve mostly covers the dorsolateral leg and parts of the dorsum of the foot, not the lateral sole. So, the sural nerve best explains sensation in that region.