[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) › Lateral plantar nerve [Nervous system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/nervous-system/) · [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) # Lateral plantar nerve The lateral plantar nerve is a branch of the [tibial nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tibial-nerve/); it gives feeling to the outer sole and works most small sole muscles. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=lower_limb&select=lateral_plantar_nerve&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is One of the two end branches of the tibial nerve. It starts in the tarsal tunnel and crosses the sole toward the outer side. ## What it does Carries feeling from the outer sole and the [little toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/little-toe/) side, and controls most of the small muscles of the sole. ## Key points - Crosses the sole obliquely toward the base of the fifth metatarsal, between the flexor digitorum brevis and quadratus plantae, then splits into superficial and deep branches - Its deep branch curves medially with the plantar arterial arch to supply most of the intrinsic muscles of the foot - Its first branch (inferior calcaneal or Baxter's nerve) runs under the heel to the abductor digiti minimi; wasting of that muscle on MRI is a clue to its entrapment ## Key facts **Roots** S1–S2 (terminal branch of tibial nerve) **Moves** Quadratus plantae, abductor digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi brevis, adductor hallucis, interossei, lateral 3 lumbricals (some texts: lateral two lumbricals) **Feeling from** Lateral third of sole; plantar side of lateral 1½ toes (like [ulnar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ulnar-nerve/) in hand) ## Relations **Course** Arises in the tarsal tunnel, passes deep to the [abductor hallucis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/abductor-hallucis/), runs forward and laterally between the [flexor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-brevis/) and [quadratus plantae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/quadratus-plantae-muscle/) with the lateral plantar artery, and near the base of the [fifth metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fifth/) divides into superficial and deep branches **Superficial** The flexor digitorum brevis and the [plantar aponeurosis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/plantar-aponeurosis/) **Deep** The quadratus plantae; further forward its deep branch lies on the interossei, under the oblique head of the [adductor hallucis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/adductor-hallucis/) ## How to find it From behind the medial malleolus it crosses the sole diagonally toward the base of the fifth metatarsal. Its first branch passes under the heel just in front of the medial calcaneal tubercle; tenderness there, a little more medial and higher than typical plantar fasciitis tenderness, suggests Baxter's nerve entrapment. ## Examination - Pressure and Tinel's sign over the medial heel at the origin of the abductor hallucis: radiating pain suggests Baxter's nerve entrapment rather than plantar fasciitis - Pinprick on the lateral sole and little toe, and little-toe abduction strength, test the main nerve ## On imaging Not seen on radiographs. Ultrasound can trace it leaving the tarsal tunnel, and MRI shows its course between flexor digitorum brevis and quadratus plantae. The classic sign of entrapment of its first branch (Baxter's nerve) is isolated fatty atrophy or oedema of abductor digiti minimi on MRI. Imaging also looks for a mass in the tarsal tunnel. ## Common problems - Tarsal tunnel syndrome: the tibial nerve or its plantar branches are squeezed behind the inner ankle, causing burning, tingling or numbness in the sole. - Pinching of its first branch (Baxter's nerve) can cause heel pain that looks like plantar fasciitis. - Causes include swelling, flatfoot, cysts, enlarged veins or scarring after an injury. ## How it is diagnosed A physical exam (tapping over the nerve, Tinel sign); nerve conduction studies and EMG; MRI or ultrasound to look for a cause. ## Treatment - Rest, inserts or a brace, medicines for nerve pain, and sometimes an injection. - Surgery to release the flexor retinaculum and free the nerve, if symptoms continue. ## Clinical notes - Entrapment of the first branch between the abductor hallucis and quadratus plantae is a recognised cause of chronic heel pain in runners and in people with heel spurs - The first branch can be injured in plantar fascia release and heel spur surgery - Weakness of the intrinsic muscles it supplies, for example in neuropathy, contributes to clawing of the lesser toes ## Anatomical variants - The first branch (Baxter's nerve) may arise from the lateral plantar nerve or directly from the tibial nerve - As for the [medial plantar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-plantar-nerve/), the tibial nerve divides above the flexor retinaculum in a minority of feet (about 1 in 10) ## Related conditions - [Tarsal tunnel syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/tarsal-tunnel-syndrome/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which muscles does the lateral plantar nerve supply? Quadratus plantae, abductor digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi brevis, adductor hallucis, the interossei and the lateral three lumbricals. ## What is the sensory territory of the lateral plantar nerve, and which hand nerve does it resemble? The lateral third of the sole and the plantar side of the lateral 1½ toes, like the ulnar nerve in the hand. ## What is Baxter's nerve, and where is it trapped? The first branch of the lateral plantar nerve (inferior calcaneal nerve), trapped between the abductor hallucis and the quadratus plantae, causing heel pain. ## What does the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve run with, and what does it supply? It curves medially with the plantar arterial arch and supplies most of the intrinsic muscles of the foot. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/lateral-plantar-nerve/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** nervus plantaris lateralis TA2 6593 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Nervio plantar lateral **English (TA2)** Lateral plantar nerve **Also called** nervus plantaris fibularis ## Related - [Toe nerves](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/common-plantar-digital-branches-of-medial-plantar-nerve/) - [Tibial nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tibial-nerve/) - [Medial plantar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-plantar-nerve/) - [Plantar arteries](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-plantar-artery/) - [Quadratus plantae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/quadratus-plantae-muscle/) - [Abductor digiti minimi](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/abductor-digiti-minimi-of-foot/) - [Flexor digiti minimi](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digiti-minimi-of-foot/) - [Adductor hallucis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/adductor-hallucis/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Foot Nerves](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537292/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-plantar-nerve/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-plantar-nerve/