Which nerves provide sensory supply to the medial and lateral plantar surfaces of the foot?

The medial and lateral plantar surfaces of the foot are primarily innervated by the medial and lateral plantar nerves, which are branches of the tibial nerve. The medial plantar nerve supplies sensation to the medial aspect of the foot, including the first three and a half toes, while the lateral plantar nerve supplies the more lateral aspect, including the fourth and fifth toes. This specific organization reflects the segmentation of nerve supply in the foot, ensuring that each region receives its appropriate sensory innervation.

The other choices do not accurately represent the specific innervation of the plantar surfaces. The deep and superficial peroneal nerves primarily innervate the dorsum of the foot rather than the plantar aspect. The tibial and fibular nerves are broader terms that encompass a wider range of innervation, but it is specifically the branches of the tibial nerve, namely the medial and lateral plantar nerves, that directly provide sensory input to the plantar surfaces. Surrounding plantar cutaneous nerves refer more generally to cutaneous branches that may provide sensory innervation but do not specify the key role of the medial and lateral plantar nerves in this context. Thus, the selection of the medial and lateral plantar nerves is correct for identifying the nerves that specifically provide sensory supply to the medial and lateral plantar