Superficial Fibular Nerve Flashcards

Explore the superficial fibular nerve, including its course through the lateral leg, motor branches, cutaneous distribution, and clinical injuries.

Card 1 of 30Question

From which peripheral nerve does the superficial fibular nerve arise?

The common fibular nerve.

In This Section

1. From which peripheral nerve does the superficial fibular nerve arise?

The common fibular nerve.

2. What is another name for the superficial fibular nerve?

The superficial peroneal nerve.

3. Which spinal nerve roots contribute to the superficial fibular nerve?

L4, L5, and S1.

4. Is the superficial fibular nerve a motor, sensory, or mixed nerve?

A mixed nerve containing both motor and sensory fibers.

5. Where does the superficial fibular nerve usually originate?

Near the fibular neck, where the common fibular nerve divides within fibularis longus.

6. Which compartment of the leg contains the superficial fibular nerve proximally?

The lateral compartment of the leg.

7. Which two muscles receive motor innervation from the superficial fibular nerve?

Fibularis longus and fibularis brevis.

8. What is the primary movement produced by muscles supplied by the superficial fibular nerve?

Eversion of the foot.

9. Which ankle movement is assisted by fibularis longus and fibularis brevis?

Plantarflexion.

10. How does the superficial fibular nerve contribute to foot arch support?

It supplies fibularis longus, which helps support the transverse arch.

11. What is the usual course of the superficial fibular nerve in the proximal lateral leg?

It descends deep to fibularis longus, between the lateral compartment muscles.

12. Which fascial layer does the superficial fibular nerve pierce in the distal leg?

The deep fascia of the leg, also called the crural fascia.

13. Where does the superficial fibular nerve typically become subcutaneous?

In the distal third of the anterolateral leg.

14. What happens to the superficial fibular nerve after it pierces the deep fascia?

It continues superficially toward the ankle and dorsum of the foot.

15. What are the two principal terminal branches of the superficial fibular nerve?

The medial dorsal cutaneous nerve and intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve.

16. What is the main cutaneous distribution of the superficial fibular nerve?

The distal anterolateral leg and most of the dorsum of the foot.

17. Which region of the dorsal foot is primarily supplied by the deep fibular nerve rather than the superficial fibular nerve?

The first dorsal web space between the great toe and second toe.

18. Which nerve usually supplies the lateral border of the foot instead of the superficial fibular nerve?

The sural nerve.

19. Which terminal branch primarily supplies the medial part of the dorsum of the foot?

The medial dorsal cutaneous nerve.

20. Which terminal branch primarily supplies the central and lateral portions of the dorsal foot?

The intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve.

21. Which sensory nerve may communicate with the intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve near the lateral foot?

The sural nerve.

22. What motor deficit may result from isolated superficial fibular nerve injury?

Weakness of foot eversion.

23. Why is ankle dorsiflexion usually preserved in isolated superficial fibular nerve injury?

The ankle dorsiflexors receive innervation from the deep fibular nerve.

24. What sensory symptoms may occur with superficial fibular nerve entrapment?

Burning, tingling, numbness, or pain over the distal anterolateral leg and dorsal foot.

25. Where is a common site of superficial fibular nerve entrapment?

Where the nerve pierces the crural fascia in the distal anterolateral leg.

26. Why is the superficial fibular nerve vulnerable to injury after emerging through the deep fascia?

It becomes subcutaneous and has less protection from direct trauma.

27. Which ankle injury may stretch or injure the superficial fibular nerve?

A severe inversion ankle sprain.

28. How can superficial fibular nerve motor function be tested clinically?

By asking the patient to evert the foot against resistance.

29. What finding helps distinguish isolated superficial fibular nerve injury from common fibular nerve injury?

Weak eversion with preserved dorsiflexion and great toe extension.

30. Which diagnostic tests can help identify superficial fibular nerve injury?

Sensory nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography.