Common fibular (peroneal) nerve
Nervus fibularis communis
NervousNervesLegLeft and right
View left in 3D View right in 3D
- What it is
- The smaller, lateral division of the sciatic nerve. It follows the biceps femoris tendon to the back of the fibular head, winds around the neck of the fibula just under the skin and divides into the superficial fibular nerve (lateral compartment, then the top of the foot) and the deep fibular nerve (front compartment, then the first web space).
- Function
- Motor to the muscles that lift the foot and toes (deep branch) and turn the sole outward (superficial branch); sensation from the outer leg, most of the top of the foot and the skin between the first two toes.
- Size
- About 3 mm thick; ~15 cm before dividing, branches ~40 cm
- Clinical note
- The most frequently injured nerve of the leg: a fibular-neck fracture, a tight plaster cast or habitual leg-crossing presses it against the bone, causing foot drop and a high-stepping gait.