Which muscles are primarily innervated by the common peroneal nerve?

The common peroneal nerve primarily innervates the muscles in the anterior and lateral compartments of the leg. Specifically, it is responsible for motor function in the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, and the peroneus longus and brevis muscles.

These muscles play a crucial role in dorsiflexion and eversion of the foot. Dorsiflexion is important for lifting the front of the foot during walking, while eversion helps in stabilizing the foot and allowing for greater mobility on uneven surfaces.

In contrast, the posterior compartment muscles, which include the gastrocnemius and soleus, are primarily innervated by the tibial nerve. Hip flexors, located in the anterior thigh, are innervated by the femoral nerve, and the core muscles, crucial for stability and posture, receive innervation from various lower thoracic and lumbar nerves, but not the common peroneal nerve. Thus, the anterior and lateral compartment muscles are indeed the ones directly innervated by the common peroneal nerve, making this the correct answer.