Overview
As one of
the primary divisions of the sciatic nerve, the common fibular nerve has an
essential role in the lower limb. It has a superficial course as it runs around
the neck of the fibula, and is vulnerable to crush injury here. The common
fibular nerve (ventral rami L4-S3) is a branch of the sciatic nerve (ventral
rami L4-S3). The nerve innervates the muscles of the anterior and lateral
compartments of the leg, and sensation over the lateral leg.
Gross Anatomy
The common fibular nerve (also known
as the common peroneal nerve) is a branch of the sciatic nerve (L4-S3), which
divides above the popliteal fossa to also give the tibial nerve. The sciatic
nerve arises from the sacral plexus, and descends down the posterior surface of
the thigh. The tibial nerve innervates all the muscles of the posterior thigh
and leg. Once the common fibular nerve branches from the sciatic nerve, it then
turns laterally to wraps around the neck of the fibula. It also gives off a small
communicating branch that combines with a reciprocal communicating branch from
the tibial nerve. The combined nerves form the sural nerve, which supplies
sensation to the lateral leg and dorsal surface of the fifth toe.
Once the nerve had wrapped around
the fibular neck, it then divides into the deep branch and the superficial
branch. The deep branch supplies the anterior compartment of the leg (tibialis
anterior- an ankle dorsiflexor and invertor, extensor digitorum longus- a toe
extensor and ankle dorsiflexor, extensor hallucis longus- an extensor of the
large toe). The superficial branch supplies the lateral compartment of the leg
i.e. fibularis longus, and brevis, which function as evertors of the ankle. The
nerve also supplies sensation to the anterior and lateral surface of the leg,
above the sural nerve.
Clinical Anatomy
Quick Anatomy
Key Facts
Precursor-
Alar and Basal Plate of nerves L4-S3
Origin-
Ventral rami of L4-S3
Branches-
Deep fibular, superficial fibular and sural
Muscles supplied- Fibularis longus, fibularis brevis, tibialis anterior, extensor
digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus
Dermatome-
Lateral and anterior surface of the leg, above the sural nerve
Aide-Memoire
Summary
The common
fibular nerve (ventral rami L4-S3) is a branch of the sciatic nerve (ventral
rami L4-S3). The nerve innervates the muscles of the anterior and lateral
compartments of the leg, and sensation over the lateral leg.