The accessory deep peroneal nerve.

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Neuroscience
• Surgical Anatomy

Background:

• The extensor digitorum brevis muscle is typically innervated by the deep peroneal nerve.
• Variations in peripheral nerve branching can affect surgical procedures and diagnostic interpretations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the innervation patterns of the right extensor digitorum brevis muscle.
• To identify and document variations in the peroneal nerve supply to this muscle.

Main Methods:

• Stimulation electromyography was used to assess the innervation of the extensor digitorum brevis.
• The study included 52 human subjects.

Main Results:

• An accessory deep peroneal nerve was identified in 13 subjects (25%).
• This anomalous nerve alone innervated the muscle in 1 case and co-innervated it with the deep peroneal nerve in 12 cases.

Conclusions:

• A significant percentage of individuals exhibit anomalous innervation of the extensor digitorum brevis via an accessory deep peroneal nerve.
• Understanding this anatomical variation is important for clinicians and surgeons to prevent misdiagnosis and iatrogenic injury.