What is the origin and course of the superficial peroneal nerve?

It originates as a terminal branch of the common peroneal nerve within the peroneus longus muscle at the fibular neck. Its course descends between peroneal muscles, pierces the deep fascia in the lower leg, and divides into medial and lateral branches on the foot's dorsum.

What muscles and skin areas does the superficial peroneal nerve supply?

It supplies the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles. Cutaneously, it innervates the skin of the lower lateral leg and most of the foot's dorsum, excluding the medial border, lateral border, and first web space.

What happens if the superficial peroneal nerve is injured?

Injury causes loss of foot eversion due to paralysis of peroneal muscles and sensory loss over the lateral leg and most of the foot's dorsum. The first web space remains unaffected as it's supplied by the deep peroneal nerve.

What are the clinical deformities associated with superficial peroneal nerve issues?

Deformities include talipes varus from nerve injury with overactive invertors, and talipes valgus from overactive peroneal muscles when anterior tibial muscles are paralyzed.

How does the superficial peroneal nerve differ from the deep peroneal nerve in distribution?

The superficial peroneal nerve supplies peroneal muscles and skin on the foot's dorsum, excluding the first web space. In contrast, the deep peroneal nerve innervates anterior leg muscles and the skin of the first web space.

Where does the superficial peroneal nerve pierce the deep fascia?

It pierces the deep fascia at the junction of the upper two-thirds and lower one-third of the leg, becoming subcutaneous before branching on the foot.

Superficial Peroneal Nerve – Course & Sensory Supply