Which muscle is most commonly assessed during studies involving the peroneal nerve?

The tibialis anterior muscle is most commonly assessed during studies involving the peroneal nerve because it is primarily innervated by the deep peroneal (fibular) nerve, a branch of the common peroneal nerve. This muscle is crucial for dorsiflexion of the ankle, which allows the foot to lift upwards. Evaluating the function of the tibialis anterior helps clinicians determine the integrity and functionality of the peroneal nerve; any abnormal responses noted during nerve conduction studies can indicate issues such as nerve compression or injury.

In contrast, the other muscles listed do not have the same level of direct association with the peroneal nerve. The gastrocnemius muscle is primarily innervated by the tibial nerve, the quadriceps muscle is innervated by the femoral nerve, and the biceps femoris muscle, which is part of the hamstring group, is also innervated by the tibial nerve. Therefore, they are not assessed when specifically evaluating the peroneal nerve's function.