Superficial Peroneal Nerve, Lateral View

Description

Running in the lateral compartment of the leg, the superficial fibular (peroneal) nerve branches from the common fibular nerve near the fibular neck and courses inferiorly between fibularis longus and fibularis brevis. Distally it becomes subcutaneous in the distal third of the leg, emerging through the deep fascia anterior to the lateral malleolus, then dividing into medial and intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerves across the anterolateral ankle. On the dorsum of the male foot, its cutaneous distribution sweeps medially and laterally over the metatarsals while typically sparing the first dorsal web space (deep fibular nerve) and the lateral margin of the fifth toe (sural nerve). Neighboring landmarks such as the fibula, tibia, knee and ankle joints, and the Achilles tendon provide orientation in lateral view. This lateral perspective matters when teaching or planning procedures around the lateral malleolus and distal leg, where the superficial peroneal nerve is prone to iatrogenic injury during anterolateral ankle arthroscopy portals, fibular fracture fixation, or minimally invasive approaches that traverse the subcutaneous plane. Sensory symptoms from entrapment or traction, burning dysesthesia over the dorsum of the foot with preserved first web space sensation, map cleanly onto the terminal dorsal cutaneous branches shown here. A small nerve, common consequences. Use this artwork for lower limb gross anatomy labs, podiatry and orthopedic teaching files, and figure plates in surgical texts discussing lateral ankle approaches, cutaneous nerve blocks, and postoperative numbness patterns after fibular or ankle surgery. It also fits neurology or EMG training materials that contrast superficial peroneal neuropathy with deep peroneal and sural sensory territories. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.