Altered sensation over the area of the great saphenous vein in the leg is seen due to an injury to which of the following nerves?
## **Core Concept**
The great saphenous vein is a superficial vein in the leg that is often associated with the **saphenous nerve**, a branch of the femoral nerve. The saphenous nerve provides sensory innervation to the medial aspect of the leg, which includes the area over the great saphenous vein.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The saphenous nerve runs alongside the great saphenous vein and provides sensory innervation to the medial leg. Injury to this nerve can lead to altered sensation (e.g., numbness, paresthesia) over the area where the great saphenous vein is located. The saphenous nerve is a purely sensory nerve and does not have motor functions.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** The **tibial nerve** primarily controls motor functions of the posterior thigh and leg and provides sensation to the posterior and medial aspects of the leg but is not specifically associated with the great saphenous vein's area.
- **Option B:** The **common peroneal nerve** provides sensory innervation to the lateral aspect of the leg and the dorsum of the foot, which does not include the area over the great saphenous vein.
- **Option C:** The **deep peroneal nerve** provides sensation to the first web space of the foot and motor innervation to the muscles of the anterior compartment of the leg, which is unrelated to the sensory innervation over the great saphenous vein.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that the **saphenous nerve** is at risk during surgical procedures involving the great saphenous vein, such as vein stripping. Damage to this nerve can result in sensory disturbances along its distribution.
## **Correct Answer:** D. Saphenous nerve.