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Sural-tibial nerve communications in humans.
Shin-ichi Sekiya1, Katsuji Kumaki
1Niigata College of Nursing, 240 Shin-nan-cho, Joetsu 943-0147, Japan. sekiya@niigata-cn.ac.jp
Anatomical Science International
|November 7, 2002
Summary
A nerve communication between the sural and tibial nerves was found in 14.3% of Japanese cadavers. This anatomical finding, particularly U-shaped connections, may explain the sural nerve
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The sural nerve typically provides sensory innervation to the lower leg and foot.
- Recent studies suggest anomalous motor functions of the sural nerve, but the anatomical basis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and morphology of communications between the sural and tibial nerves in Japanese cadavers.
- To explore the potential anatomical basis for reported anomalous motor functions of the sural nerve.
Main Methods:
- Dissection of 49 legs from 28 Japanese cadavers.
- Detailed examination of the sural and tibial nerves and their communicating branches in the lower leg and ankle region.
Main Results:
- A communication between the sural and tibial nerves was identified in 7 legs (14.3%) and 5 cadavers (18.9%).
- Communicating branches originated from medial branches of the sural nerve, piercing the deep fascia.
- U-shaped communications were observed in 4 cases, and Y-shaped communications in 3 cases.
Conclusions:
- The identified nerve communications, especially the U-shaped variant, provide a morphological basis for the recently reported anomalous motor function of the sural nerve.
- This anatomical variation may have implications for understanding nerve function and surgical procedures in the lower leg.