Entry Points of the Terminal Motor Branches of Common Fibular Nerve in Fetuses

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the course of the common fibular nerve and its terminal branches with a special emphasis on the entry points of the motor branches on fetal cadavers. Material and Methods: In this study, 200 limbs from 100 embalmed fetuses (54 males and 46 females) were studied. Location and the entry points of the motor of terminal branches of common fibular nerve were observed via dissection. The distances from bifurcation of common fibular nerve to the lateral epicondyle and lateral malleolus were measured. Distances between the entry points of the motor branches of the anterior and lateral muscles of the leg and lateral malleolus were measured. Furthermore, we examined the course of the superficial fibular nerve and measured the distance between the bifurcation level of superficial fibular nerve and the lateral malleolus. Findings: We found that all parameters were increased with age during the fetal period (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between genders for any parameter (p>0.05). The difference in the number of the entry points of the motor branches among the anterior and lateral muscles of the leg was statistically significant. Superficial fibular nerve coursed only in the lateral compartment of the leg in 77.5% of the cases, and both in the anterior and lateral compartments in 22.5%. Conclusion: The present study has revealed the course of common fibular nerve and location of the entry points of the motor branches of its branches during the fetal period. Hopefully, the present study will provide useful base for further studies