Which nerve provides sensation to the plantar (sole) surface of the foot?

Which nerve provides sensation to the plantar (sole) surface of the foot?

• A. Tibial nerve
• B. Common fibular nerve
• C. Sural nerve
• D. Femoral nerve

Answer: (A)

Sensation of the sole of the foot comes from the tibial nerve. After it travels behind the ankle, it branches into the medial and lateral plantar nerves that innervate most of the sole and toes, with additional branches to the heel from the tibial nerve. The common fibular nerve mainly covers the dorsum of the foot and the anterior leg. The sural nerve provides sensory input to parts of the heel and lateral foot, but not the entire plantar surface. The femoral nerve supplies sensation to the anterior thigh, not the foot. So the tibial nerve is responsible for the plantar surface sensation.

Sensation of the sole of the foot comes from the tibial nerve. After it travels behind the ankle, it branches into the medial and lateral plantar nerves that innervate most of the sole and toes, with additional branches to the heel from the tibial nerve. The common fibular nerve mainly covers the dorsum of the foot and the anterior leg. The sural nerve provides sensory input to parts of the heel and lateral foot, but not the entire plantar surface. The femoral nerve supplies sensation to the anterior thigh, not the foot. So the tibial nerve is responsible for the plantar surface sensation.