Superficial Branch of Lateral Plantar Nerve (Left)
Ramus superficialis nervi plantaris lateralis
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Lateral plantar nerve (S1-S3).
Course: Passes laterally towards the fifth digit.
Branches: Common and proper plantar digital nerves.
Supply: Motor innervation to the flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle and the interossei of the fourth intermetatarsal space; Sensory innervation to the skin on the plantar aspect of the lateral foot, fifth digit, and the lateral aspect of fourth digit.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The superficial branch is one of two terminal branches of the lateral plantar nerve, the other being the deep branch. It divides between the flexor digiti minimi brevis and the abductor digiti minimi muscles.
Course
The superficial branch of the lateral plantar nerve courses laterally over the abductor digiti minimi muscle.
Branches
The superficial branch of the lateral plantar nerve give rise to the common plantar digit nerve and then continues on as the proper plantar digital nerve towards the lateral aspect of the little toe.
Supplied Structures
The superficial branch of the lateral plantar nerve provides motor innervation to the flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle and the interossei of the fourth intermetatarsal space. It also provides sensory innervation to the skin on the plantar aspect of the lateral foot, fifth digit, and the lateral aspect of the fourth digit.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Lateral Plantar Nerve
The lateral plantar nerve is often compared to the ulnar nerve in that it supplies motor branches to the remaining muscles of the lateral plantar aspect of the foot and cutaneous innervation to the lateral one-third of the plantar aspect of the foot.
