Nerves innervating the leg

MUSCLES	NERVE
Posterior compartment muscles
Popliteus	Tibian nerve
Flexor hallucis longus
Flexor digitorum longus
Tibialis posterior
Gastrocnemius
Soleus
Plantaris
Anterior compartment muscles
Tibialis anterior	Deep fibular nerve
Extensor hallucis longus
Extensor digitorum longus
Fibularis tertius
Lateral compartment
Fibularis longus	Superficial fibular nerve

Tibian nerve

- A direct extension of the sciatic nerve

- Innervates muscle at the posterior compartment of the leg and the intrinsic muscles on the plantar surface of the foot. (involve in plantarflexion and flexion of the toes, can also participate in inversion)

- Deep location, hence protected from direct trauma

- Can be injured during inflammation of the muscles of the posterior compartment (compartment syndrome) when swelling occurs sufficient to compress the tibial nerve

- Lesion: loss in plantar flexion and weakened inversion of the foot à shuffling gait

Deep and superficial fibular nerve

- Divisions of the common fibular nerve, which is a direct extension of the sciatic nerve

- Superficial innervates the lateral compartment of the leg (involved in the eversion of the foot)

- Deep innervates the anterior compartment of the leg and muscles at the dorsum of the foot (involves in dorsiflexion and extension of the toes)

- Most commonly injured, usually from direct trauma, where it wraps around the head of the fibula.

- When injured the patient may present with footdrop; inability to dorsiflex at the ankle and unable to evert the foot

SuSummary: Three main nerves that innervates the leg are:

a) Tibian nerve: posterior compartment

b) Deep fibular nerve: anterior compartment

c) Superficial fibular nerve: lateral compartment