The medial plantar nerve is a branch of the tibial nerve in the foot.
It supplies motor innervation to the plantar foot muscles and cutaneous sensation to the medial two thirds of the sole of the foot.
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Course
The medial plantar nerve is a terminal branch of the tibial nerve. It arises within the tarsal tunnel – an area posterior to the medial malleolus at the ankle.
It enters the foot by passing deep to the proximal attachment of the abductor hallucis muscle. It then travels between the abductor hallucis and flexor digitorum brevis along the medial aspect of the foot.
It is accompanied by the medial plantar artery along its course.
At the level of the metatarsal heads, the medial plantar nerve terminates as sensory branches to the medial three and half digits.
Motor Supply
The medial plantar nerve provides motor innervation to four of the plantar foot muscles:
- Abductor hallucis
- Flexor digitorum brevis
- Flexor hallucis brevis
- First lumbrical
The remaining plantar foot muscles are innervated by the lateral plantar nerve.
Sensory Supply
The medial plantar nerve supplies sensation to the skin of the medial two thirds of the sole and medial three and a half toes.
