Which nerve is responsible for supplying the anterior compartment of the leg?

The correct answer is the deep peroneal nerve, which innervates the anterior compartment of the leg. This compartment is primarily responsible for dorsiflexion of the foot and toe extension. The deep peroneal nerve is a branch of the common peroneal nerve and specifically supplies the muscles in this compartment, including the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus.

This innervation plays a vital role in controlling foot movements, allowing for activities such as walking, running, and balancing. Damage to the deep peroneal nerve can lead to foot drop, where the individual may have difficulty lifting the foot at the ankle, resulting in an altered gait.

The other nerves listed do not primarily supply the anterior compartment. The superficial peroneal nerve mainly supplies the lateral compartment and provides sensation to the dorsum of the foot. The femoral nerve is responsible for the innervation of the anterior thigh muscles and has no role in the leg compartment. Lastly, the sural nerve is primarily a sensory nerve that supplies sensation to the posterior aspects of the leg and does not innervate any muscles in the anterior compartment.