Deep Fibular Nerve

Description

Common peroneal nerve and proximal tibiofibular joint

Common (blue) and superficial (purple) peroneal nerve branch cutaneous distributions and motor branches

Cutaneous innervation of the leg, ankle and dorsum of foot

Other Names

• Deep Fibular Nerve
• Deep Peroneal Nerve
• Nervus peroneus communis
• Anterior Tibial Nerve

General

• One of the two branches of the common fibular nerve
• The other is the superficial fibular nerve

Anatomic Course

• Branches off the common fibular nerve at the bifurcation
• This occurs between the fibula and the fibularis longus
• The deep fibular nerve runs anteriorly out of the lateral compartment of the leg
• It runs anteriorly and deep to the extensor digitorum longus
• Ends up on the anterior surface of the interosseous membrane of the leg
• From here it descends into the anterior compartment of the leg along with the anterior tibial artery
• Courses down into the foot deep to the extensor retinaculum
• Here it branches out to lateral and medial terminal branches

Medial Terminal Branch

• Courses distally through the dorsal compartment of the foot
• Merges with the medial branch of the superficial fibular nerve
• Provides cutaneous innervation to the two sides of the first two toes and web space between them
• Articular branch to first metatarsophalangeal joint

Lateral Terminal Branch

• Runs deep to extensor digitorum brevis
• Supples extensor digitorum brevis, extensor hallucis brevis
• Supplies the tarsal joint and middle three metatarsophalangeal joints

Motor Innervation

• Tibialis Anterior
• Extensor Digitorum Longus
• Extensor Hallucis Longus
• Fibularis Tertius
• Extensor Digitorum Brevis
• Extensor Hallucis Brevis

Sensory Innervation

• Skin of web between the first two toes
• Ankle Joint
• Tarsal joints
• Metatarsophalangeal Joints

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Clinical Significance

• Fibula Head Fracture
• Foot Drop
• Acute Compartment Syndrome
• Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome

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See Also

• Leg Anatomy Main
• Leg Pain Main
• Neuropathies Main
• Physical Exam Knee

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