During the straight-leg raise, which nerve is stressed by ankle dorsiflexion?

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Multiple Choice

During the straight-leg raise, which nerve is stressed by ankle dorsiflexion?

Explanation:
During a straight-leg raise, the neural tract from the lumbar and sacral roots is lengthened, and adding ankle dorsiflexion places extra traction on the sciatic nerve as it travels down the leg. This dorsiflexion amplifies tension along the entire sciatic nerve, making it the structure most stressed by the maneuver. The tibial and common peroneal nerves are branches of the sciatic and can be affected, but the test targets the sciatic nerve itself. The sural nerve is a smaller cutaneous branch and is not the primary structure loaded here.

During a straight-leg raise, the neural tract from the lumbar and sacral roots is lengthened, and adding ankle dorsiflexion places extra traction on the sciatic nerve as it travels down the leg. This dorsiflexion amplifies tension along the entire sciatic nerve, making it the structure most stressed by the maneuver. The tibial and common peroneal nerves are branches of the sciatic and can be affected, but the test targets the sciatic nerve itself. The sural nerve is a smaller cutaneous branch and is not the primary structure loaded here.

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