Nerve
Deep fibular (peroneal) nerve
Nerve for ankle dorsiflexion and the first dorsal toe web
High-yield
Its small cutaneous territory is usually the first dorsal web space. This does not mean the nerve carries sensation only from skin: it also has branches associated with joints and deeper tissues.
Overview
The deep fibular nerve enters the anterior leg compartment and travels toward the ankle with the anterior tibial artery. It supplies the muscles that lift the foot and extend the toes, then reaches short extensor muscles on the foot's upper surface.
Reference facts
- Root value
- Commonly summarized as L4–S1 through the common fibular nerve; published segmental ranges differ
- Course
- Leaves the proximal lateral leg, passes into the anterior compartment, descends beside the anterior tibial artery and crosses the ankle beneath the extensor retinacula
- Motor
- Tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus and fibularis tertius; extensor digitorum brevis and extensor hallucis brevis in the foot
- Sensory
- Usually the facing skin surfaces between the great and second toes dorsally, plus articular and other deep sensory fibers
Clinical correlation
An injury high enough in the leg can cause foot drop. Compression near the front of the ankle affects more distal branches and may cause first-web numbness or short-extensor weakness without disabling the leg's dorsiflexor muscles.
Frequently asked questions
What are the roots of the deep fibular (peroneal) nerve?
Commonly summarized as L4–S1 through the common fibular nerve; published segmental ranges differ.
What muscles does the deep fibular (peroneal) nerve supply?
Tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus and fibularis tertius; extensor digitorum brevis and extensor hallucis brevis in the foot.
What is the sensory distribution of the deep fibular (peroneal) nerve?
Usually the facing skin surfaces between the great and second toes dorsally, plus articular and other deep sensory fibers.
What is the course of the deep fibular (peroneal) nerve?
Leaves the proximal lateral leg, passes into the anterior compartment, descends beside the anterior tibial artery and crosses the ankle beneath the extensor retinacula.