The extensor digitorum longus is innervated by which nerve?

The extensor digitorum longus is innervated by which nerve?

• A. Common fibular nerve
• B. Tibial nerve
• C. Deep fibular nerve
• D. Superficial fibular nerve

Answer: (C)

Extensor digitorum longus is in the leg’s anterior compartment, and its motor innervation comes from the deep fibular (peroneal) nerve. The deep fibular nerve is the branch of the common fibular nerve that specifically supplies the muscles in that compartment, including tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus as well as extensor digitorum longus. The tibial nerve serves the posterior compartment, the superficial fibular nerve serves the lateral compartment and much of the dorsum of the foot, and the common fibular nerve is the parent that splits into the deep and superficial branches. So the precise innervation for this muscle is the deep fibular nerve.

Extensor digitorum longus is in the leg’s anterior compartment, and its motor innervation comes from the deep fibular (peroneal) nerve. The deep fibular nerve is the branch of the common fibular nerve that specifically supplies the muscles in that compartment, including tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus as well as extensor digitorum longus. The tibial nerve serves the posterior compartment, the superficial fibular nerve serves the lateral compartment and much of the dorsum of the foot, and the common fibular nerve is the parent that splits into the deep and superficial branches. So the precise innervation for this muscle is the deep fibular nerve.