Muscle
Fibularis brevis
Shorter lateral leg muscle attaching to the fifth metatarsal
High-yield
It is a foot everter with superficial fibular nerve supply. Its fifth-metatarsal attachment helps explain why some injuries near that bony base involve traction from the tendon.
Overview
Fibularis brevis lies deep to fibularis longus in the lateral leg. Its tendon passes behind the lateral malleolus and reaches the prominent base of the fifth metatarsal on the outer foot.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Lower two-thirds of the lateral fibular shaft and adjacent intermuscular septa
- Insertion
- Tuberosity on the lateral base of the fifth metatarsal, with individual variation in the tendon footprint
- Action
- Everts the foot and provides a smaller contribution to ankle plantarflexion
- Innervation
- Superficial fibular nerve, conventionally L5-S2
- Blood supply
- Muscular branches from the fibular artery
Clinical correlation
An avulsion at the fifth-metatarsal tuberosity may involve the fibularis brevis tendon, the lateral plantar fascia or both. This attachment-zone injury differs from a Jones fracture farther along the proximal metatarsal.
Frequently asked questions
What does the fibularis brevis do?
The fibularis brevis everts the foot and provides a smaller contribution to ankle plantarflexion.
What nerve innervates the fibularis brevis?
Superficial fibular nerve, conventionally L5-S2.
Where does the fibularis brevis attach?
The fibularis brevis originates from the lower two-thirds of the lateral fibular shaft and adjacent intermuscular septa and inserts on the tuberosity on the lateral base of the fifth metatarsal, with individual variation in the tendon footprint.
What is the blood supply of the fibularis brevis?
The fibularis brevis is supplied by the muscular branches from the fibular artery.