The Common Peroneal nerve bifurcates and becomes which two nerves?

The bifurcation of the Common Peroneal nerve results in the formation of the deep peroneal nerve and the superficial peroneal nerve. This is significant because these two branches serve different muscle groups and regions of the lower leg and foot.

The deep peroneal nerve primarily provides motor innervation to the muscles located in the anterior compartment of the leg, which includes the tibialis anterior responsible for dorsiflexion of the foot. Additionally, it also supplies sensation to part of the foot between the first and second toes.

The superficial peroneal nerve, on the other hand, is responsible for innervating muscles in the lateral compartment of the leg, such as the fibularis longus and fibularis brevis, which facilitate eversion of the foot. It also supplies sensation to the skin of the lower leg and the dorsum of the foot, except for the area between the first and second toes, which is covered by the deep peroneal nerve.

This anatomical distinction between the deep and superficial branches is crucial in clinical settings, as injuries to the Common Peroneal nerve can lead to specific deficits related to each branch, influencing both motor functions and sensory perceptions.