Lateral compartment of leg

Lateral compartment of leg - Fibularis longus

Lateral compartment of leg - Fibularis brevis

Lateral compartment of leg - animation

Lateral compartment of leg refers to one of the anatomical compartments in the human leg. It is one of the four compartments, with the others being the anterior, superficial posterior, and deep posterior compartments. The lateral compartment is primarily involved in the eversion and plantarflexion of the foot.

Anatomy

The lateral compartment of the leg is bounded by the anterior intermuscular septum of the leg anteriorly, the posterior intermuscular septum of the leg posteriorly, the fibula laterally, and the tibia and interosseous membrane medially. It is enclosed by the deep fascia of the leg, known as the crural fascia.

Muscles

The lateral compartment contains two important muscles:

• The peroneus longus (also known as fibularis longus) - starts from the head and upper body of the fibula and inserts into the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform bones of the foot. It is responsible for plantarflexion and eversion of the foot.
• The peroneus brevis (also known as fibularis brevis) - originates from the lower two-thirds of the fibula and inserts into the base of the 5th metatarsal. It also aids in plantarflexion and eversion of the foot.

Nerve Supply

The muscles in the lateral compartment are innervated by the superficial peroneal nerve (also known as the superficial fibular nerve), which is a branch of the common peroneal nerve.

Blood Supply

Blood supply to the lateral compartment is primarily through branches of the peroneal artery, which is a branch of the posterior tibial artery.

Function

The primary function of the lateral compartment muscles is to evert the foot, which helps in stabilizing the foot during walking or running on uneven surfaces. They also assist in plantarflexion, which is the downward movement of the foot away from the leg, important in the push-off phase of gait.

Clinical Significance

Compartment syndrome, a condition where increased pressure within one of the leg's compartments causes decreased blood supply to the area, can occur in the lateral compartment. Symptoms may include severe pain, swelling, and decreased function of the affected compartment. This condition requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage.

See also

• Compartment syndrome
• Lower limb anatomy
• Musculoskeletal system
• Peroneal muscles