Sural

Sural is an anatomical term used as an adjective to describe structures relating to the calf or the posterior aspect of the leg. The word derives from the Latin sura, meaning the calf of the leg. In clinical and anatomical contexts, sural describes regional anatomy as well as specific nerves and cutaneous branches located in the lower leg and foot.

The sural nerve is the best-known sural structure. It is a sensory nerve typically formed by the joining of the medial sural cutaneous nerve from the tibial nerve with a communicating branch from the common fibular nerve. The nerve descends along the posterior-lateral aspect of the leg, often accompanying the small saphenous vein, and provides cutaneous sensation to the posterolateral leg and the lateral foot, including the lateral malleolus and sometimes the lateral aspect of the sole and fifth toe. There is notable anatomical variation in its origin and course. In addition to the sural nerve proper, the regional cutaneous supply includes medial and lateral sural cutaneous nerves, which may contribute to the formation of the sural nerve.

Clinically, the sural nerve is frequently used as a donor for nerve grafting due to its relatively inconsequential motor functions and accessible location. Injury to the sural nerve can result in sensory disturbances along its distribution, typically without motor deficit. The term sural also appears in broader anatomical references to related cutaneous nerves and their vascular relationships in the posterior leg.