From the Research
The tibial nerve has several branches that innervate various structures in the lower limb, including the medial calcaneal branches, medial and lateral plantar nerves, sural nerve, and muscular branches to the posterior compartment muscles of the leg. The main branches of the tibial nerve are:
- Medial calcaneal branches, which supply the skin of the heel
- Medial and lateral plantar nerves, which innervate the muscles and skin of the sole of the foot
- Sural nerve, which provides sensation to the lateral aspect of the foot
- Muscular branches that supply the posterior compartment muscles of the leg, including the gastrocnemius, soleus, tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, and flexor hallucis longus
- Articular branches to the knee joint and the popliteal branch
These branches are crucial for motor function of the foot and ankle, allowing plantar flexion and inversion of the foot, as well as flexion of the toes. The sensory distribution of these branches is equally important, providing sensation to the posterior leg, heel, sole, and parts of the dorsum of the foot. Understanding the branching pattern of the tibial nerve is essential for diagnosing and treating conditions like tarsal tunnel syndrome and other peripheral neuropathies affecting the lower limb, as noted in a study on the anatomy of the tibial nerve and its branches 1.