Lateral compartment of leg
Compartimentum laterale cruris
- Latin synonym: Compartimentum fibulare cruris
- Synonym: Fibular compartment of leg
- Related terms: Lateral compartment of leg; Fibular compartment of leg; Peroneal compartment of leg
Definition
The lateral compartment of the leg contains:
Theses musces are foot evertors and for foot plantarflexion, supplied by the superficial fibular nerve and perforating branches of the anterior tibial artery and the fibular artery.
The lateral compartment of leg (a.k.a. the fibular compartment of leg) lies between the anterior and posterior intermuscular septa on the lateral aspect of the fibula. It contains two evertor muscles of the foot:
Fibularis (Peroneus) Longus – arises from the upper lateral fibula, passes behind the lateral malleolus, and inserts into the medial cuneiform and base of the first metatarsal.
Fibularis (Peroneus) Brevis – lies deep to the longus, arising from the lower fibula and inserting into the base of the fifth metatarsal.
Both are supplied by the superficial fibular (peroneal) nerve and assist in eversion and plantarflexion of the foot. Blood supply is via perforating branches of the anterior tibial artery and fibular artery.
References
Khan IA, Mahabadi N, D'Abarno A, et al. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Leg Lateral Compartment. [Updated 2023 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519526/
