Superficial 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

• Superficial Fibular Nerve
• Superficial Peroneal Nerve

General

• One of the two terminal branches of the common fibular nerve
• The other is the deep fibular nerve
• Nerve roots: L4-S1
• Innervates the Lateral Compartment of the Leg

Anatomical Course

• Arises at the neck of the fibula
• Descends between fibularis muscles and lateral aspect of extensor digitorum longus
• Motor branches come off here
• As the nerve descends, it provides purely cutaneous sensory innervation
  • Sensory to the anterolateral aspect of the lower leg
• When it reaches the lower third of the leg, it pierces the deep crural fascia
• It terminates by dividing in the medial and intermedial dorsal cutaneous nerves
• These nerves innervate the majority of the dorsal foot

Motor Innervation

• Fibularis Longus
• Fibularis Brevis

Sensory Function

• Innervates the skin over the anterolateral leg
  • Via cutaneous branches directly from the superficial fibular nerve)
• Innervates the dorsum of the foot except the first web space
  • Via the medial and intermedial dorsal cutaneous nerves

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Clinical Significance

• Fibula Head Fracture
• Foot Drop
• Acute Compartment Syndrome
• Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome
• Superficial Fibular Nerve Entrapment

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See Also

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

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