A patient with a proximal tibial fracture develops weakness of plantar flexion with intact sensation on the sole of the foot. Which nerve structure has been injured?

• A Sural nerve in the posterior leg
• B Tibial nerve in the popliteal fossa ✓
• C Nerve to popliteus arising from the tibial nerve in the popliteal fossa
• D Deep peroneal nerve in the anterior compartment

Explanation

The tibial nerve runs through the popliteal fossa and supplies all muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg (gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris, popliteus, tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus) as well as the intrinsic foot muscles and sole sensation via medial and lateral plantar nerves. Injury at the popliteal fossa level causes loss of plantar flexion, toe flexion, and foot inversion, with sensory loss on the sole. A proximal tibial fracture (near the upper tibia/popliteal region) can injure the tibial nerve. The sural nerve is only sensory; the deep peroneal nerve supplies dorsiflexors.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.