Sural nerve complex

Sural nerve complex

The sural nerve complex is a sensory nerve in the human body that provides sensation to the lower leg and foot. It is a part of the peripheral nervous system and is formed by the union of branches from the tibial nerve and the common fibular nerve.

Anatomy

The sural nerve complex typically originates from the sciatic nerve, which bifurcates into the tibial nerve and the common fibular nerve. The sural nerve is formed by the joining 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. This union usually occurs in the lower third of the leg.

Course

The sural nerve travels down the posterior aspect of the leg, running parallel to the small saphenous vein. It passes behind the lateral malleolus and continues along the lateral side of the foot, terminating in the skin of the lateral aspect of the foot and the fifth toe.

Function

The primary function of the sural nerve complex is to provide sensory innervation to the skin of the lower leg and foot. It is responsible for transmitting sensory information such as touch, pain, and temperature from the lateral aspect of the lower leg and foot to the central nervous system.

Clinical Significance

The sural nerve is often used in nerve biopsy procedures due to its superficial location and the relatively low risk of causing significant sensory deficits. It is also commonly harvested for use in nerve grafts. Injury to the sural nerve can result in sensory loss or neuropathic pain in its area of innervation.

Related Structures

• Sciatic nerve
• Tibial nerve
• Common fibular nerve
• Small saphenous vein
• Peripheral nervous system

See Also

• Peripheral neuropathy
• Nerve biopsy
• Nerve graft