Deep Peroneal Nerve, Anterior View

Description

Running in the anterior compartment of the leg, the deep fibular (peroneal) nerve descends from the region of the fibular neck into the interval between tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus, then continues distally on the interosseous membrane. Closely applied to the anterior tibial artery and accompanying veins, the nerve remains anterior to the tibia and medial to the fibula as it approaches the ankle, passing beneath the extensor retinacula toward the dorsum of the foot. Surrounding landmarks include the tibia, fibula, patella and proximal tibiofemoral region, with anterior leg extensors and the posterior calf mass (gastrocnemius and soleus) present as positional context. Distal bony anatomy of the foot, including metatarsals and phalanges, frames the terminal distribution. Clinical relevance centers on motor supply to the dorsiflexors and toe extensors and sensory innervation to the first dorsal web space, a pattern clinicians use to localize lesions from L5 radiculopathy to common fibular neuropathy. Entrapment beneath the extensor retinaculum (anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome) produces dorsal foot pain or paresthesia with weakness of extensor hallucis longus, and iatrogenic injury is a known risk during anterior ankle arthroscopy and external fixation pin placement. The tight neurovascular pairing with the anterior tibial vessels also makes this a practical teaching view for safe dissection planes and for understanding why compartment syndrome in the anterior leg can present with early pain on passive toe flexion and evolving dorsiflexion weakness. A small nerve with outsized exam value. Use this asset for lower-limb anatomy labs, peripheral nerve blocks and regional anesthesia teaching, and clinical education materials on foot drop, anterior compartment syndrome, and ankle surgical approaches that reference the anterior tibial neurovascular bundle. It also suits textbooks and journal figures discussing deep fibular neuropathy, dorsalis pedis continuation, and extensor retinaculum anatomy. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.