Which nerve provides cutaneous innervation to the lateral aspect of the foot?

Which nerve provides cutaneous innervation to the lateral aspect of the foot?

• A. Saphenous nerve
• B. Superficial peroneal nerve
• C. Common fibular nerve
• D. Sural nerve

Answer: (D)

The lateral aspect of the foot is innervated by the sural nerve. This sensory nerve runs with the small saphenous vein down the posterior leg and around the lateral malleolus to the lateral border of the foot, supplying the skin there. It’s formed from contributions of the tibial nerve (medial sural cutaneous branch) and a branch from the common fibular nerve, giving a reliable cutaneous supply to the lateral foot region. The saphenous nerve supplies the medial leg and medial aspect of the foot, not the lateral side. The superficial peroneal nerve covers most of the dorsum of the foot (except the web space between the first and second toes), and the common fibular nerve contributes to the dorsum of the foot and lateral leg, but not the specific lateral border and sole area as clearly as the sural nerve.

The lateral aspect of the foot is innervated by the sural nerve. This sensory nerve runs with the small saphenous vein down the posterior leg and around the lateral malleolus to the lateral border of the foot, supplying the skin there. It’s formed from contributions of the tibial nerve (medial sural cutaneous branch) and a branch from the common fibular nerve, giving a reliable cutaneous supply to the lateral foot region.

The saphenous nerve supplies the medial leg and medial aspect of the foot, not the lateral side. The superficial peroneal nerve covers most of the dorsum of the foot (except the web space between the first and second toes), and the common fibular nerve contributes to the dorsum of the foot and lateral leg, but not the specific lateral border and sole area as clearly as the sural nerve.