Variation of nerve to flexor hallucis brevis.

Abstract

Hallopeau's nerve is a branch of the lateral plantar nerve that supplies the flexor hallucis brevis muscle while also forming an anastomosis with the medial plantar nerve. In this study, the presence of this neural anastomosis was determined through dissection of cadaveric specimens. Twenty-six fresh-frozen adult feet (13 matched pairs) were dissected to assess the presence or absence of Hallopeau's nerve. Dissections revealed four out of 26 specimens had this anastomosis. This study confirms this anatomic variation. The clinical significance of these anastomoses remains unknown. These anastomoses are analogous to some in the hand and forearm.