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The sural nerve is a sensitive nerve whose function is to provide sensory supply for the posterolateral aspect of the distal third of the leg and the lateral side of the dorsum of the foot. This nerve is formed in the upper third of the calf from the terminal branches of the tibial and common peroneal nerves and the communicating branch of the sural nerve. The aim of our study is to showcase two anatomical variants of the sural nerve. Two formalin-preserved cadavers, one male and one female, embalmed using formalin 4% were dissected with the intent of being used as teaching materials for the students attending anatomy classes at the "George Emil Palade" University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, Romania. In both cases, less common anatomical variations of the formation of sural nerve were discovered. On the male cadaver, we identified the sural nerve as a continuation of the medial sural cutaneous nerve. The lateral sural cutaneous nerve and the communicating branch of the sural nerve were both absent. On the female cadaver, we identified both the medial sural cutaneous nerve and the lateral sural cutaneous nerve. The sural nerve was, however, a continuation of only the lateral sural cutaneous nerve, with the medial sural cutaneous nerve as an independent branch. We described two anatomical variants of the sural nerve, which are less common than those documented in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sural nerve is formed by communication of medial sural cutaneous nerve, that arise from tibial nerve in popliteal fossa and peroneal communicating nerve, a branch directly from common peroneal nerve or from lateral sural cutaneous nerve. The sural nerve is universally recognized by surgeons as a site for harvesting an autologous nerve graft and for nerve biopsies in case of neuropathies. Setting and Design: Anatomy department and an observational study. Statistical Analysis: The Mean, Standard Deviation, relevant percentages and p value was calculated by Chi-square test. Material and Methods: The study consists of 50 lower limb specimens in 25 cadavers. All the male and female complete cadavers were included in the study. The data was collected by dissection method by using dissection instruments and parameters (measurements) were obtained by using measuring tape. Results: The sural nerve complex was dissected and observed in 50 formalin fixed lower limb specimens. Study was done in 16 male and 9 female cadavers. Three types of formation of sural nerve were observed were - Type A was seen in 36 specimens (72%) of cases. Type B was seen in 14 specimens (28%) of cases. Type C sural nerve was not found in present study. Site of union of components of SN was seen in the upper 3rd of leg in 5.6%, in middle 3rd it was in 33.3% and in lower 3rd it was in 58.3% of cases. The length of the sural nerve shows a wide range from 2 cm to 32 cm. The symmetrical distribution was seen in 62.5% in males and 55.6% in female. Conclusion: The normal anatomy and variations may help to guide during surgeries in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]