Superficial fibular nerve
Nervus fibularis superficialis
- Latin synonym: Nervus peroneus superficialis
- Synonym: Superficial peroneal nerve
- Related terms: Superficial fibular nerve; Superficial peroneal nerve
Definition
The superficial fibular nerve (Superficial peroneal nerve) is one of the two terminal branches of the common fibular (peroneal) nerve, arising near the fibular neck. It descends in the lateral compartment of the leg, running between the fibularis longus and brevis muscles, and provides motor innervation to these muscles.
Distally, the nerve pierces the deep crural fascia at a variable distance above the lateral malleolus—most commonly between 5 and 9 cm proximal to the intermalleolar line—then becomes subcutaneous and divides into its terminal branches: the medial dorsal cutaneous nerve and the intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve. These branches supply sensory innervation to the skin of the lower lateral leg and the dorsum of the foot, except for the first web space (innervated by the deep fibular nerve).
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