What nerve innervates the extensor digitorum longus?

What nerve innervates the extensor digitorum longus?

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

Answer: (B)

Extensor digitorum longus is an anterior compartment muscle that dorsiflexes the foot and extends the toes. The nerve that supplies the muscles of the anterior compartment, including this one, is the deep fibular nerve. It travels with the anterior tibial vessels and delivers motor fibers to the extensor digitorum longus (as well as other dorsiflexors like tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus). The tibial nerve goes to the posterior compartment, the superficial fibular nerve to the lateral compartment, and the common fibular nerve is the trunk that splits into deep and superficial branches—the direct innervation of this muscle comes from the deep fibular nerve.

Extensor digitorum longus is an anterior compartment muscle that dorsiflexes the foot and extends the toes. The nerve that supplies the muscles of the anterior compartment, including this one, is the deep fibular nerve. It travels with the anterior tibial vessels and delivers motor fibers to the extensor digitorum longus (as well as other dorsiflexors like tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus). The tibial nerve goes to the posterior compartment, the superficial fibular nerve to the lateral compartment, and the common fibular nerve is the trunk that splits into deep and superficial branches—the direct innervation of this muscle comes from the deep fibular nerve.