Sural communicating branch of common fibular nerve
Ramus communicans suralis nervi fibularis communis
- Synonym: Sural communicating branch of common peroneal nerve
- Related terms: Sural communicating branch
Definition
The sural communicating branch of the common fibular nerve (peroneal communicating branch) is a sensory nerve that typically arises from the common fibular (peroneal) nerve. It joins with the medial sural cutaneous nerve, which is a branch of the tibial nerve, to form the sural nerve. This union most commonly occurs in the lower third of the leg, although there is significant anatomical variability.[1-2]
The sural communicating branch is located within a triangular area defined by the fibular head laterally, the popliteal vertical midline medially, and the tip of the lateral malleolus inferiorly. The proximal end of this branch is situated approximately 5 cm from both the fibular head and the popliteal midline.[3] The mean length of the sural communicating branch is about 226 mm, with a proximal diameter of 0.82 mm and a distal diameter of 0.93 mm.[3]
In terms of vascularization, an arterial input is present in the proximal third of the sural communicating branch in 53% of cases, and veins are predominantly found in the distal third in 87% of cases. Additionally, a nutrient artery and vein perfuse the central segment of the nerve in 46% and 20% of cases, respectively.[3]
References
1.Origin and Make Up of the Human Sural Nerve.Mestdagh H, Drizenko A, Maynou C, Demondion X, Monier R.Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy : SRA. 2001;23(5):307-12. doi:10.1007/s00276-001-0307-4.
2.Anatomical Variations of the Sural Nerve.Mahakkanukrauh P, Chomsung R.Clinical Anatomy (New York, N.Y.). 2002;15(4):263-6. doi:10.1002/ca.10016.
3.Sural Communicating Nerve for Application as a Vascularized Nerve Graft: A Microneurovascular Anatomic Study in Cadavers.Kannan R, Khajuria A, Davies DC, et al.Microsurgery. 2023;43(8):818-822. doi:10.1002/micr.31068.
