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Lateral Sural Cutaneous Nerve

nervus cutaneus surae lateralis

The lateral sural cutaneous nerve is a branch of the common fibular (peroneal) nerve that arises in the popliteal fossa and descends through the lateral calf deep to the deep fascia, supplying the skin of the lateral calf. In most individuals it joins the medial sural cutaneous nerve (from the tibial nerve) to form the sural nerve, with a connecting peroneal communicating branch. Sural nerve anatomy is highly variable.

Region: Lower Leg

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The lateral sural cutaneous nerve and its junction with the medial sural cutaneous nerve to form the sural nerve is important in sural nerve harvest for nerve grafting. The sural nerve (formed from both cutaneous nerves) is the most commonly harvested autologous nerve graft, accessible along the lateral calf. Pre-harvest mapping by Doppler or MRI identifies the variable junction point. Isolated lateral sural cutaneous neuropathy produces lateral calf numbness without the posterior ankle/foot distribution of the full sural nerve.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Lateral Sural Cutaneous Nerve in Sural Graft Harvest

The sural nerve formed from the lateral and medial sural cutaneous nerves provides 30-40 cm of sensory nerve graft accessible along the lateral calf through small incisions; its harvest produces permanent lateral ankle and foot dorsum numbness accepted as the price of reconstructive nerve grafting for facial or peripheral nerve repair.