The peroneal and tibial nerves are divisions of which nerve?

The peroneal and tibial nerves are both branches that arise from the sciatic nerve, which is one of the primary nerves of the lower limb. The sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, travels down the back of the thigh and divides into these two major branches as it approaches the back of the knee.

The tibial nerve supplies motor and sensory innervation to the posterior compartment of the leg and the plantar surface of the foot, while the peroneal nerve, which further divides into the common peroneal and subsequently into the deep and superficial peroneal nerves, innervates the anterior and lateral compartments of the leg and provides sensation to parts of the foot.

Understanding the origin of these nerves is essential for recognizing their roles in both neurophysiologic monitoring and clinical practice, especially during surgical procedures involving the lower limbs. This knowledge is crucial for understanding how nerve injuries or compression can affect patient outcomes in surgeries where intraoperative monitoring is utilized.