Final answer:
The skin of the foot and ankle region is innervated by the tibial nerve, which stems from the sacral plexus. Blood supply to the area is provided by the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.The correct answer is option 3.
Step-by-step explanation:
The skin of the foot and ankle region is primarily supplied by the tibial nerve, which is a branch of the sacral plexus. The tibial nerve provides innervation to the muscles and integument on the posterior surface of the tibial region, including the foot and ankle. In terms of blood supply, the anterior tibial artery supplies the anterior region and becomes the dorsalis pedis artery supplying the dorsal foot, while the posterior tibial artery supplies the posterior region and plantar surfaces.
The tibial nerve is one of the major branches of the sciatic nerve, which is a large nerve that originates in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg. The tibial nerve specifically arises from the sciatic nerve below the knee and continues down the back of the leg. It is a component of the posterior division of the sciatic nerve, along with the common fibular nerve.
The tibial nerve travels through the popliteal fossa (the space behind the knee) and descends along the posterior aspect of the leg. It provides sensory and motor innervation to various muscles and skin areas of the leg and foot. The tibial nerve is responsible for transmitting sensory information from the sole of the foot and the back of the calf, as well as controlling the muscles that allow for plantar flexion (pointing the foot downward) and inversion of the foot.