Nerve of anterior compament of leg ?
**Core Concept**
The anterior compartment of the leg contains muscles that are responsible for dorsiflexion of the foot and ankle, primarily through the action of the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles. The nerve supplying these muscles is a branch of the common peroneal nerve, which itself is a branch of the sciatic nerve.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The deep peroneal nerve arises from the common peroneal nerve and passes between the tendons of the extensor digitorum longus and the extensor hallucis longus muscles to reach the anterior compartment of the leg. It then divides into dorsal digital nerves that supply the skin and muscles of the first web space, and an intermediate nerve that supplies the tibialis anterior muscle. The deep peroneal nerve is responsible for the motor innervation of the muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg, including the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** The superficial peroneal nerve supplies the muscles of the lateral compartment of the leg, including the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles. It is not responsible for the motor innervation of the muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg.
**Option B:** The saphenous nerve is a purely sensory nerve that arises from the femoral nerve and supplies the skin of the medial aspect of the leg.
**Option C:** The sural nerve is a purely sensory nerve that arises from the common peroneal and tibial nerves and supplies the skin of the lateral and posterior aspects of the leg.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The deep peroneal nerve is at risk of injury during ankle surgery, particularly during procedures that involve the tibialis anterior tendon or the extensor hallucis longus tendon. This is because the nerve passes between these two tendons in the anterior compartment of the leg.
**Correct Answer:** D. Deep peroneal nerve.