The effects of the communicating branch between medial and lateral plantar nerves on the innervations of the foot lumbrical muscles

Abstract

Introduction: The communicating branches between the medial (MPN) and lateral (LPN) plantar nerves aren't frequently observed in relation to the innervation of the foot muscles in previous studies. In this study, the number and localization of the communicating branch on the innervations of foot muscles were evaluated to open a new sight considering the innervations of lumbrical muscles. Material and methods: 30 formalin-fixed feet (15 right-15 left feet), with an average age of 76 from the inventory of Trakya and Mersin University Anatomy Departments in 2015 were dissected. The innervations of the lumbricals and the communicating branches were revealed and then photographed. Results: In all feet, first lumbricals were observed to be innervated by MPN, while the remaining muscles were innervated by deep branches of LPN. In four cadaveric feet, communicating branches of MPN, LPN and deep branch of LPN were appeared but, in one of them, proximal to the branches of MPN and LPN to lumbricals, a communicating branch between MPN and deep branch of LPN were observed. Discussion: Data about the innervations of the lumbricals were found to be consistent with the previous studies. Taking into account the localization of the communicating branches between the MPN and LPN, it should be considered that nerve injuries during surgical procedures such as flexor tendon transfers, island flap surgery, treatment of hallux valgus or lesser toes deformity in the foot and ankle region may unexpectedly lead to different functional failures. (C) 2018 Anatomical Society of India. Published by Elsevier, a division of RELX India, Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.