Which nerve supplies the lateral aspect of the foot?

The sural nerve is responsible for supplying sensation to the lateral aspect of the foot. It is formed by branches from both the tibial and common peroneal nerves, which converge in the posterior aspect of the leg. As it descends, the sural nerve provides cutaneous innervation to the skin on the lateral side of the foot and the heel, making it vital for sensory perception in that area.

The other options, while involved in lower limb innervation, do not provide sensory supply to the lateral aspect of the foot. The deep peroneal nerve primarily supplies the muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg and some sensory innervation to the web space between the first and second toes. The superficial peroneal nerve provides sensory innervation to the lower leg and the dorsum of the foot but is not focused on the lateral aspect specifically. The femoral nerve mainly supplies the anterior compartment of the thigh and does not play a role in innervating the foot. Thus, the sural nerve is the most accurate choice for sensory supply to the lateral aspect of the foot.