08/09/2025
The sural nerve is a purely sensory nerve that arises from the union of two branches: the medial sural cutaneous nerve from the tibial nerve and the lateral sural cutaneous nerve from the common fibular (peroneal) nerve. It travels down the posterior aspect of the leg, running superficially along the calf and eventually reaching the lateral side of the foot. Its primary role is to provide cutaneous (sensory) innervation to the posterolateral lower leg, the lateral side of the foot, and the heel.
Clinically, the sural nerve is significant for a few reasons. Due to its superficial location and sensory-only function, it is often harvested and used in nerve grafting procedures. It is also susceptible to injury from trauma, compression (such as from tight boots or casts), or surgical complications in the lower limb. Injury to the sural nerve typically results in numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in its distribution area, but not weakness since it does not supply motor fibers.
Anatomically, the sural nerve runs alongside major nerves of the lower limb, such as the sciatic nerve, which gives rise to both the tibial and common fibular nerves. These nerves handle most of the motor and sensory functions of the leg and foot. Understanding the sural nerve’s path and connections is vital, especially in surgical procedures or when evaluating lower limb sensory deficits.
