The saphenous nerve (terminal branch of the femoral nerve) accompanies the great saphenous vein distal to the knee. It provides sensory supply to which specific area?

• A Entire sole of the foot
• B Medial aspect of the leg, medial malleolus, and medial border of the foot as far as the base of the great toe ✓
• C Lateral aspect of the leg and dorsum of foot
• D Anterior thigh and knee

Explanation

The saphenous nerve is the only branch of the femoral nerve to travel below the knee. It emerges from the subsartorial (Hunter's) canal at the medial aspect of the knee, accompanies the great saphenous vein, and provides cutaneous innervation to the medial aspect of the leg, medial malleolus, and the medial border of the foot up to the base of the great toe. This territory must be remembered when planning saphenous vein harvest for CABG (risk of saphenous nerve injury causing medial leg/foot numbness) and for medial ankle blocks. The lateral leg is supplied by the superficial peroneal nerve; the sole by the plantar branches of the tibial nerve.

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

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.