A patient presents with sensory loss on adjacent sides of the great and second toes and impaired dorsiflexion of the foot. These signs probably indicate damage to which of the following nerves?
**Core Concept**
The patient's symptoms suggest peroneal nerve damage, which affects the muscles responsible for foot dorsiflexion and sensation on the adjacent sides of the great and second toes.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The peroneal nerve is a branch of the common peroneal nerve, which arises from the sciatic nerve. It innervates the anterior tibial muscles, responsible for foot dorsiflexion, and the skin on the adjacent sides of the great and second toes. Damage to the peroneal nerve can result in foot drop and sensory loss in the affected area. This is due to the interruption of the motor signals from the nerve to the muscles and the sensory signals to the skin.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** The posterior tibial nerve is responsible for sensation on the sole of the foot and the medial aspect of the foot, not the adjacent sides of the great and second toes.
**Option B:** The saphenous nerve is a branch of the femoral nerve, providing sensation to the medial aspect of the leg and foot, not the adjacent sides of the great and second toes.
**Option C:** The sural nerve is responsible for sensation on the lateral aspect of the foot and the little toe, not the adjacent sides of the great and second toes.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Remember the "Peroneal Palsy" mnemonic to associate peroneal nerve damage with foot drop and sensory loss: "P" for peroneal nerve, "P" for palsy, "A" for ankle, "L" for loss, "S" for sensation, and "E" for extensor muscles.
**Correct Answer:** C.