Superficial Fibular Nerve

Question 1

What are the roots of the superficial fibular nerve?

Answer 1

L4-S1

Question 2

What are the motor functions of the superficial fibular nerve?

Answer 2

Innervates the muscles in the lateral compartment of the leg

Question 3

What are the sensory functions of the superficial fibular nerve?

Answer 3

Supplies the vast majority of the skin over the dorsum of the foot, apart from the webbing between the hallux and the second digit
Supplies the anterior and lateral aspect of the inferior third of the leg

Question 4

What does the superficial fibular nerve arise from?

Answer 4

The terminal branch of the common fibular nerve

Question 5

Where does the superficial fibular nerve arise?

Answer 5

At the neck of the fibula

Question 6

What is the anatomical course of the superficial fibular nerve?

Answer 6

It descends between the fibularis muscles and the lateral side of the extensor digitorum longus
The nerve continues its descent
When it reaches the lower third of the leg, it pierces the deep crural fascia

Question 7

What does the superficial fibular nerve give rise to after it arises?

Answer 7

Motor branches which supply the fibularis longus and brevis

Question 8

What does the nerve do as it continues its descent down the neck of the fibula?

Answer 8

Provides sensory innervation to the anterolateral aspect of the leg

Question 9

When does the superficial fibular vein terminate?

Answer 9

When it pierces the deep crural fascia

Question 10

How does the superficial fibular nerve terminate?

Answer 10

By dividing into the medial and intermedial dorsal cutaneous nerves

Question 11

What do the medial and intermedial dorsal cutaneous nerves do?

Answer 11

Enter the foot to innervate the majority of its dorsal surface

Question 12

What muscles do the superficial fibular nerve supply?

Answer 12

Those of the lateral compartment of the lower leg

Question 13

What are the muscles of the lateral compartment of the lower leg?

Answer 13

The fiburlaris longus and the fibularis brevis

Question 14

What do the muscles of the lateral compartment of the lower leg do?

Answer 14

Act to evert the foot, and thus act at the subtalar joint

Weakly contribute to plantarflexion

Question 15

What is eversion?

Answer 15

The action of turning the foot outwards

Question 16

What is plantarflexion mainly carried out by?

Answer 16

The gasocnemius and soleus muscles

Question 17

What does the superficial fibular nerve innervate directly?

Answer 17

The skin over the anterolateral leg

Question 18

How does the superficial fibular nerve indirectly innervate?

Answer 18

Via the medial and intermedial dorsal cutaneous nerves

Question 19

What do the medial and intermedial dorsal cutaneous nerves innervate?

Answer 19

The skin of the dorsum of the foot (except the webbed space between the hallanx and the 2nd digit)

Question 20

What are the dermatomes that correspond to the areas innervated by the superficial fibular nerve?

Answer 20

L5 and S1

Question 21

What are the relatively commonly pathologies involving damage to the superficial fibular nerve?

Answer 21

Entrapment

Direct damage

Question 22

What can superficial peroneal nerve entrapment cause?

Answer 22

Pain and paresthesia over the lower leg and dorsum of the foot

Question 23

What does entrapment frequently result from?

Answer 23

Ankle sprains or twisting of the ankle

Question 24

Why does twisting the ankle cause superficial peroneal nerve entrapment?

Answer 24

It causes the nerve to stretch in the lower leg

Question 25

Where does nerve entrapment commonly occur?

Answer 25

At the point where the nerve exits the deep fascia of the leg- the nerve becomes compressed by the fascia

Question 26

What is used to provide relief from the symptoms when the superficial fibular nerve is compressed as it exits the deep fascia of the leg?

Answer 26

Surgical decompression of the nerve

Question 27

How can the superficial fibular nerve be damaged?

Answer 27

A fracture of the fibula

A perforating wound to the lateral side of the leg

Question 28

What may injury to the superficial fibular nerve result in?

Answer 28

Loss of eversion
A loss of sensation over the majority of the dorsum of the foor, and the anterolateral aspect of the lower leg could result

Question 29

Why may damage to the superficial fibular nerve result in a loss of eversion?

Answer 29

As the muscles that the superficial fibular nerve innervates are evertors