Deep fibular (peroneal) nerve (L4–S1)
Terminal branches · L4 L5 S1
Pierces the anterior intermuscular septum to run down the anterior compartment on the interosseous membrane with the anterior tibial artery, passes under the extensor retinaculum and ends on the dorsum of the foot.
Traced from the start
Detail
- Motor
- Tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus, fibularis tertius; extensor digitorum brevis in the foot
- Sensory
- First web space (between the great and second toes) only
- Companion
- Anterior tibial artery, continuing as dorsalis pedis
When it goes wrong
Anterior compartment syndrome after a tibial fracture or unaccustomed exertion
Pain out of proportion, worse on passive toe flexion (stretching the compartment); numbness of the first web space is the EARLIEST nerve sign, followed by weak dorsiflexion; pulses persist until late — needs urgent fasciotomy
Anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome: tight footwear compressing the nerve under the extensor retinaculum
Numb first web space with wasting of extensor digitorum brevis, dorsiflexion preserved
Practise this structure
1 question in the bank tagged Deep Fibular Nerve.