A branch of the tibial nerve arising in the popliteal fossa supplying the lateral head of gastrocnemius. The lateral gastrocnemius branch typically arises alongside or just distal to the medial gastrocnemius branch as the tibial nerve descends through the popliteal fossa.
The nerve to lateral gastrocnemius is used as a donor nerve for transfer to restore tibial nerve function in high sciatic nerve injuries. The lateral gastrocnemius branch has a consistent anatomy that makes it a reliable transfer target. In knee dislocation with tibial nerve injury, EMG of both gastrocnemius heads assesses the degree of tibial nerve damage. The branch is identified during popliteal nerve surgery by its takeoff proximal to the soleal arch.
Loss of both medial and lateral gastrocnemius head function from popliteal tibial nerve injury producing profound plantarflexion weakness, confirmed by EMG and managed with nerve repair or transfer when recovery fails.
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