Nervus peroneus

Nervus peroneus

The Nervus peroneus, also known as the common fibular nerve or common peroneal nerve, is a branch of the sciatic nerve that provides motor and sensory innervation to parts of the lower leg. It is one of the major nerves of the lower limb.

Anatomy

The nervus peroneus originates from the sciatic nerve in the posterior compartment of the thigh. It travels down the leg, wrapping around the neck of the fibula before dividing into two branches: the superficial peroneal nerve and the deep peroneal nerve.

Branches

• Superficial peroneal nerve: This branch innervates the muscles of the lateral compartment of the leg, including the fibularis longus and fibularis brevis. It also provides sensory innervation to the skin over the lower third of the leg and the dorsum of the foot.
• Deep peroneal nerve: This branch innervates the muscles of the anterior compartment of the leg, including the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus. It also provides sensory innervation to the web space between the first and second toes.

Function

The nervus peroneus is responsible for both motor and sensory functions in the lower leg. It controls the muscles that lift the foot and toes (dorsiflexion) and those that evert the foot. Sensory functions include providing sensation to parts of the lower leg and the top of the foot.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the nervus peroneus can result in a condition known as foot drop, where the patient is unable to lift the front part of the foot. This can occur due to various reasons, including trauma, compression, or systemic diseases like diabetes mellitus.

Related Pages

• Sciatic nerve
• Superficial peroneal nerve
• Deep peroneal nerve
• Foot drop
• Fibula
• Tibialis anterior
• Extensor hallucis longus
• Extensor digitorum longus