Lab 7 - Module 4 - The Foot: Page 7 of 8

Nerves of the Plantar Foot:

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As the tibial nerve enters the plantar foot, it divides into the medial plantar and lateral plantar nerves.

Add the Tibial Nerve.

Add the Medial Plantar nerve.

• Passes deep to the abductor hallucis muscle between this muscle and the flexor digitorum brevis.

• Terminates as three digital nerves which supply cutaneous to the 3.5 medial digits and motor to the abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis, flexor hallucis brevis, and the first (most medial) lumbrical.

Add the Lateral Plantar nerve.

• Runs between the first and second layer of muscles sending cutaneous innervation to the lateral 1.5 toes and motor to all of the muscles of the plantar foot that are not innervated by the medial plantar nerve.

Add the Medial Calcaneal nerve. (NOT IDENTIFIED IN THIS CADAVER)

• Prior to dividing into the medial and lateral plantar nerves, the tibial nerve gives off medial cutaneous branches that provide sensation to the heel.