In the remaining 10 cases (33.3%), the SFN divided before perforating the crural fascia and the MDCn and IDCn emerged separately (Fig.
When the MDCn and IDCn emerged separately, it was observed only in which third of the leg this occurred.
As regards the distance between the emergence of the nerves to the anterior margin of the tibia, the following measurements were obtained: 36.5 [+ or -] 4.5 mm (SFN as a single trunk); 37.0 [+ or -] 4.3 mm (MDCn) and 41.5 [+ or -] 6.6 mm (IDCn).
When its branches appeared separated, the MDCn had an average width of 2.4 [+ or -] 0.9 mm, and the IDCn of 2.10 [+ or -] 0.6 mm.
Height of the SFN division in the leg: This measurement was taken in cases where the SFN perforated the crural fascia as a single trunk and later divided into the MDCn and IDCn, which occurred in 17/20 cases; in the 3 remaining, the IDCn was considered absent or atrophic, terminating at the level of the ankle, and its area of distribution in the dorsum of the foot was substituted by the sural nerve.