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Common fibular (peroneal) nerve (L4–S2)

Main branches · L4 L5 S1 S2

Smaller terminal division of the sciatic. Follows the medial border of the biceps femoris tendon to the lateral popliteal fossa, winds subcutaneously around the neck of the fibula — where it is palpable and most vulnerable — and divides within fibularis longus into superficial and deep fibular nerves.

Traced from the start

  1. L4 anterior ramusL5 anterior ramus
  2. S1 anterior ramusS2 anterior ramusS3 anterior ramusS4 anterior ramus
  3. Lumbosacral trunk (L4–L5)Sacral plexus anterior divisionsSacral plexus posterior divisions
  4. Sciatic nerve (L4–S3)
  5. Common fibular (peroneal) nerve (L4–S2)

Detail

Motor
Through the deep fibular (anterior compartment) and superficial fibular (lateral compartment) nerves
Sensory
Lateral sural cutaneous nerve (upper lateral leg) and a sural communicating branch
Site of injury
Fibular neck — the most commonly injured nerve in the lower limb

When it goes wrong

Fibular neck fracture, tight plaster cast or knee brace, prolonged leg crossing or squatting, rapid weight loss, lateral knee surgery, pressure during anaesthesia or in ICU

Foot drop with a high-stepping (steppage) gait, weak dorsiflexion AND eversion, numbness of the dorsum of the foot and lateral leg; inversion, hip abduction and the ankle jerk are spared — the points that separate it from an L5 radiculopathy

Practise this structure

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