Sural cutaneous nerve

Sural nerve

The Sural Cutaneous Nerve is a sensory nerve in the human body that provides sensation to the skin on the outer part and back of the lower leg and the lateral side of the foot. It is a branch of the Tibial Nerve and the Common Fibular Nerve, which are both part of the Sciatic Nerve.

Anatomy

The Sural Cutaneous Nerve originates from the junction of the medial sural cutaneous nerve (a branch of the tibial nerve) and the lateral sural cutaneous nerve (a branch of the common fibular nerve). It runs down the back of the leg, alongside the Small Saphenous Vein, to supply the skin of the lateral side of the foot and the outer lower leg.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the Sural Cutaneous Nerve can result in sensory loss or paresthesia (abnormal sensations) in its area of distribution. It is often used as a donor nerve for grafting in other parts of the body due to its sensory nature and the minimal functional loss associated with its removal.

See Also

• Nervous System
• Peripheral Nervous System
• Cutaneous Innervation