Deep Peroneal Nerve: Orientation and Branching at the Ankle and Proximal Part of the Foot

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the frequency and types of 1) orientation of the deep peroneal nerve (DPN) and its branches relative to the dorsalis pedis artery (DPA) and the extensor hallucis longus tendon (EHLT) and 2) branching site and pattern of DPN at the distal area of leg and the proximal zone of the foot.Materials and Methods: One-hundred and sixty specimens from the lower extremities of 80 formalin-embalmed cadavers were investigated for anatomical position, orientation and the branching pattern of DPN by manual dissection, starting from the anterior side of lower extremity just proximal to ankle joint down to the area distal to inferior extensor retinaculum.Results: The most prevalent medial-to-lateral orientation of structures in the area anterior to ankle joints was the EHLT/DPA/DPN. Comparing DPA with the branching of DPN in the areas inside anterior tarsal tunnel (ATT) and distal to ATT, the most common type was an orientation of DPA that was lateral to both the DPN main trunk and its medial terminal branch. Regarding branching sites and patterns of DPN in the intermalleolar and ATT areas, nearly half of the studied specimens had DPN bifurcation at the intermalleolar level and more than half of the bifurcations were inside the ATT.Conclusion: This study establishes novel data regarding type variation and prevalence of DPN in areas of ankle and proximal part of foot in the Thai population which could be helpful in clinical practice.