Which nerve innervates the tibialis anterior?

Which nerve innervates the tibialis anterior?

• A. Tibial nerve
• B. Peroneal branch of sciatic
• C. Obturator nerve
• D. Femoral nerve

Answer: (B)

Tibialis anterior is part of the leg’s anterior compartment and its primary action is dorsiflexion of the foot. It is innervated by the deep peroneal (deep fibular) nerve, which is the deep branch of the common fibular (peroneal) nerve coming from the sciatic nerve. Describing this as the peroneal branch of the sciatic correctly identifies its source and path: sciatic nerve splits, the common fibular (peroneal) part gives off the deep peroneal nerve that supplies tibialis anterior. The other nerves don’t reach this muscle: the tibial nerve goes to the posterior compartment and plantarflexors, the obturator nerve to the inner thigh muscles, and the femoral nerve to the muscles of the anterior thigh.

Tibialis anterior is part of the leg’s anterior compartment and its primary action is dorsiflexion of the foot. It is innervated by the deep peroneal (deep fibular) nerve, which is the deep branch of the common fibular (peroneal) nerve coming from the sciatic nerve. Describing this as the peroneal branch of the sciatic correctly identifies its source and path: sciatic nerve splits, the common fibular (peroneal) part gives off the deep peroneal nerve that supplies tibialis anterior.

The other nerves don’t reach this muscle: the tibial nerve goes to the posterior compartment and plantarflexors, the obturator nerve to the inner thigh muscles, and the femoral nerve to the muscles of the anterior thigh.