COMMON PERIONEAL NERVE / FIBULAR NERVE

Ans. A. Deep peroneal nerve

In the leg, the deep peroneal nerve supplies muscular branches to the Tibialis anterior, Extensor digitorum longus, Fibularis (Peroneus) tertius, and Extensor hallucis longus, and an articular branch to the ankle-joint.

The common fibular nerve( aka common fibular nerve)  arises from the posterior division of the sacral plexus (L4–S2) and descends in an inferolateral direction, across the popliteal fossa to the fibular head.

Just distal to the fibular head, the common fibular nerve bifurcates into the deep fibular and superficial fibular nerves.

It is easily palpated against the neck of fibula because of its subcutaneous position. It is commonly injured in fractures of neck of the fibula. It gets thickened in leprosy which may also cause foot drop.

Cutaneous branch of deep peroneal nerve provides sensory innervation to the web space between the first and second toe and a small area just proximal to the first and second toe on the plantar aspect of the foot.

B i.e., Neck of fibula

Common peroneal nerve winds around neck of fibula to enter peroneus longus muscle. Because of its subcutaneous position it can be easily palpated here & is very prone to injury. So fracture neck of fibula may cause foot drop.

• Common peroneal nerve is related to neck of fibula (not tibia).
• Nutrient artery of tibia is a branch of posterior tibial artery.
• Nutrient artery of fibula is a branch of peroneal artery.
• Tibia is the commonest site of osteomyelitis.

Common peroneal nerve winds around neck offibula to enter peroneus longus muscle. Because of its subcutaneous position it can be easily palpated here and is very prone to injury. So fracture neck of fibula may cause foot drop.