Tibial nerve
Nervus tibialis
NervousNervesLegLeft and right
View left in 3D View right in 3D
- What it is
- The larger division of the sciatic nerve. It runs straight down the middle of the popliteal fossa, passes under the fibrous arch of soleus, descends deep in the calf with the posterior tibial artery, curves behind the medial malleolus through the tarsal tunnel and divides into the medial and lateral plantar nerves of the sole.
- Function
- Motor to the calf muscles (pointing the foot and toes, inversion) and all the small muscles of the sole; sensation from the heel and the sole.
- Size
- About 4 mm thick; ~45 cm from the knee to the ankle
- Clinical note
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome - compression behind the medial malleolus - causes burning pain in the sole. Tibial nerve loss prevents standing on tiptoe and abolishes the ankle jerk.