Innervates the abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis, flexor hallucis brevis, first lumbrical, quadratus plantae, flexor digiti minimi, adductor hallucis, the interossei, three lumbricals. and abductor digiti minimi.
Originates from the sacral plexus via sciatic nerve to the medial plantar nerve and lateral plantar nerve.
Passes through the popliteal fossa to pass below the arch of soleus.
In the popliteal fossa the nerve gives off branches to gastrocnemius, popliteus, soleus and plantaris muscles, an articular branch to the knee joint, and a cutaneous branch that will become the sural nerve.
The sural nerve is joined by fibres from the common fibular nerve and runs down the calf to supply the lateral side of the foot.
Below the soleus muscle the nerve supplies the tibialis posterior, the flexor digitorum longus and the flexor hallucis longus.
In the foot the nerve runs posterior to the medial malleolus, is bound down by the flexor retinaculum with the posterior tibial artery.
In the foot, the nerve divides into medial and lateral plantar branches.
The medial plantar nerve supplies: the abductor hallucis, the flexor digitorum brevis, the flexor hallucis brevis and the first lumbrical.
Cutaneous distribution of the medial plantar nerve is to the medial sole and medial three and one half toes, including the nail beds on the dorsal surface.
The lateral plantar nerve supplies quadratus plantae, flexor digiti minimi, adductor hallucis, the interossei, three lumbricals. and abductor digiti minimi.
Cutaneous innervation is to the lateral sole and lateral one and one half toes.