Superficial fibular nerve
Nervus fibularis superficialis
Also known as: superficial peroneal nerve, musculocutaneous nerve of leg
The nerve of the lateral compartment of the leg. It supplies fibularis longus and brevis, the evertors of the foot, and then becomes cutaneous to supply most of the dorsum of the foot.
Overview
The superficial fibular nerve arises at the neck of the fibula and descends in the lateral compartment between fibularis longus and fibularis brevis, supplying both. In the distal third of the leg, about 10–12 cm above the lateral malleolus, it pierces the deep fascia to become subcutaneous. It divides into medial and intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerves. These supply the lower anterolateral leg and most of the dorsum of the foot and toes, except:
• the first web space, supplied by the deep fibular nerve;
• the lateral border of the foot, supplied by the sural nerve.
- Location
Lateral compartment of the leg → subcutaneous over the distal anterolateral leg → dorsum of the foot.
Anatomy
- Innervation
- Motor: fibularis longus and fibularis brevis.
• Sensory: the distal anterolateral leg and most of the dorsum of the foot and toes.- Nerve roots
L4, L5, S1.
- Course
Fibular neck → lateral compartment between fibularis longus and brevis → pierces the deep fascia in the distal third of the leg → medial and intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerves over the dorsum of the foot.
Function
- Eversion of the foot (fibularis longus and brevis)
- Support of the lateral and transverse arches (fibularis longus)
- Sensation of the dorsum of the foot
Clinical significance
Superficial fibular nerve entrapment
The nerve can be entrapped where it pierces the deep fascia, or stretched by inversion ankle sprains. This causes pain and paraesthesia over the dorsum of the foot. An isolated lesion produces weak eversion, so the foot rests inverted, with dorsal sensory loss but normal dorsiflexion. It is at risk during anterolateral ankle arthroscopy portals and fibular plating.
Compiled from standard anatomy and physiology references — see the Nervous System sources. For education only; not medical advice.