The Relative Contributions of the Medial Sural and Peroneal Communicating Nerves to the Sural Nerve.
10.3349/ymj.2006.47.3.415
- Author:
Chang Hwan KIM
1
;
Han Young JUNG
;
Myeong Ok KIM
;
Choong Jae LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Inha University, Inchon, Korea. jacob.kim@inha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Sural nerve;
contribution ratio;
nerve conduction study;
medial sural cutaneous nerve;
peroneal communicating nerve
- MeSH:
Sural Nerve/*anatomy & histology/*physiology;
Peroneal Nerve/*anatomy & histology/*physiology;
Neural Conduction/*physiology;
Middle Aged;
Male;
Humans;
Female;
Adult
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2006;47(3):415-422
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The medial sural cutaneous nerve (MSCN) and peroneal communicating nerve (PCN) conjoin in the calf area to form the sural nerve (SN). In previous anatomic studies, there was unresolved debate as to the main contributor to the sural nerve, and the relative contributions of MSCN and PCN had not been studied. The purpose of this study is to determine their relative neurophysiologic contributions to the SN by nerve conduction study (NCS). A total of 47 healthy subjects (25 males and 22 females, mean age 29.6+/-10.4 yrs, range 20-59 yrs) participated in the study. This study employed the orthodromic nerve conduction technique: stimulation at the ankle and recording at the mid calf (SN); specifically, we preformed stimulation at the mid calf (MSCN, PCN) and recording at 14cm proximal to the middle of the popliteal fossa (MSCN) and fibular head (PCN). The onset and peak latencies (ms) were SN 2.3+/-0.2 and 3.0+/-0.2; MSCN 2.1+/-0.2 and 2.8+/-0.2; and PCN 2.1+/-0.2 and 2.8+/-0.2. The peak-to-peak amplitudes (micro) and areas (nVsec) of the SN, MSCN, and PCN were 9.7+/-3.9, 7.0+/-4.7, and 5.0+/-3.2; and 7.2+/-2.9, 5.7+/-3.4, and 4.0+/-2.4, respectively. The side-to-side difference was not statistically significant. The main contributor to the SN was found to be the MSCN. The relative contribution ratio of the MSCN to the PCN was 1.37:1 by amplitude and 1.42:1 by area. However, in 32.9% of the subjects, the contribution of the PCN was greater than that of the MSCN.
