Superficial Peroneal Nerve, Anterior View

Description

Running in the anterolateral compartment of the leg, the superficial fibular (peroneal) nerve is traced distally as it courses between fibularis longus and fibularis brevis, then pierces the crural fascia in the distal third of the leg to become subcutaneous. From there, its medial and intermediate dorsal cutaneous branches spread anterior to the ankle and across the dorsum of the foot, crossing superficial to the extensor tendons on their way toward the toes. Lateral to the tibial crest and anterior to the fibula, the nerve’s relationship to the extensor retinacula and to the great saphenous and small saphenous venous territories is made easy to read. A superficial structure, but not a forgiving one. Clinically, the fascia-piercing point is a common site of entrapment, producing burning dysesthesia over the anterolateral leg and most of the dorsum of the foot while sparing the first dorsal web space (deep fibular nerve) and the lateral border of the foot (sural nerve). This anterior perspective also suits teaching the neurologic exam and dermatomal mapping, since it clarifies why inversion strength (tibialis anterior, deep fibular nerve) can remain intact even when dorsal foot sensation is altered. Surgeons and sports clinicians use these surface relationships to avoid iatrogenic injury during anterolateral ankle arthroscopy portals, fibular fracture exposure, and harvest or placement of grafts and incisions along the distal leg. Use this plate for lower-limb neuroanatomy and musculoskeletal blocks, for operative anatomy figures in foot and ankle texts, or for patient-facing explanations of superficial fibular nerve entrapment and dorsal cutaneous sensory loss patterns. It also fits well in exam-prep materials contrasting superficial fibular, deep fibular, sural, and saphenous cutaneous territories. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.