The nerves of the foot are among the peripheral nerves that branch out from the central nervous system to the rest of the body, and branch into smaller and smaller nerves to supply the thighs, legs, and feet. They are responsible for the sensation of touch, pain, and heat in the foot. They also send nerve signals to move the muscles of the foot. In this article, we will take an overview of the most important nerves of the foot.

What are the nerves of the foot?

Before we get to know the nerves of the foot, we must first get to know the main nerve from which these nerves originate, namely the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the body, and it comes out of the lower vertebrae of the spine, and passes through the upper part of the buttocks muscles, then To the back of the thighs, then the leg. The sciatic nerve branches into two main branches:

• common peroneal nerve: It extends from the outside of the knees to the outside of the foot.
• The tibial nerve: It extends from the back of the calf (calf) to the heel and sole of the foot.

Many other nerves branch out from these two branches to feed the legs and feet, and below we will learn about the nerves feeding the feet.

Foot nerve branches

Superficial peroneal nerve

This nerve is considered one of the branches of the original peroneal nerve that extends to supply some areas of the leg. It also supplies all the dorsum of the foot except for the area between the first two toes. Its function is to give sensation in these areas and stimulate the muscles to move the foot outward.

Deep peroneal nerve

It nourishes some other muscles in the leg, and it also nourishes the area between the two fingers mentioned in the previous nerve, and stimulates the muscles to bend the foot upwards, dorsiflexion, and extend the digits.

Noticeable: In the event of damage to the original peroneal nerve, the patient loses the ability to move the foot up and out, and to lengthen the fingers.

Medial plantar nerve

This nerve branches from the tibial nerve, and covers most parts of the sole of the foot. It also supplies many important muscles, and its function is to give sensation in the areas it supplies. It also stimulates the muscles to flexion and abduction of the big toe, and flexion of the toes. Flexion.

Lateral plantar nerve

It is a branch of the tibial nerve, and supplies the fifth (little) toe and half of the fourth toe towards the sole of the foot, and an area of ​​the lateral part of the sole of the foot, as well as most of the internal muscles.

Saphenous nerve

This nerve is one of the sensory nerves. It helps sense pain, temperature, and touch. It provides sensation in the lower leg, including the inside of the ankle, and inside the arch of the foot.

Sural nerve

It is also a sensory nerve, as it supplies and gives sensation to the back of the leg below the knee, the outside of the foot, and the outside of the heel and ankle.

Medial calcaneal nerve

It is a branch of the tibial nerve along with the lateral and medial plantar nerves, and provides sensation in the heel and part of the sole of the foot.

How to preserve the nerves of the foot

There are many general tips to maintain the health of peripheral nerves and the nerves of the foot and leg, including:

• Maintaining blood glucose levels, and regular taking medications or insulin to prevent the risk of developing diabetic neuropathy that affects peripheral nerves, and to prevent the risk of diabetic foot.
• Quit smoking and tobacco products that may affect the nerves.
• Eat healthy meals that contain nerve-strengthening vitamins such as vitamin B12.
• Wear comfortable shoes that do not cause pressure on the feet.