Common peroneal nerve

A critical nerve responsible for motor and sensory functions in the leg and foot.

The common peroneal nerve is one of the two major branches of the sciatic nerve, originating from the lumbosacral plexus. It primarily serves the lower leg and foot by providing motor control to muscles responsible for dorsiflexion and eversion, as well as sensation to specific areas of the skin.

Terminologia Anatomica

nervus peroneus communis

System

Nervous system

Function

The common peroneal nerve plays an essential role in both movement and sensation. It facilitates dorsiflexion, which is the upward movement of the foot at the ankle joint. This action is crucial for walking, running, and maintaining balance, as it helps clear the foot from the ground during the swing phase of gait. Furthermore, this nerve innervates the muscles responsible for eversion, allowing the foot to tilt outward, providing stability on uneven surfaces. Sensory functions of the common peroneal nerve involve conveying information from the skin over the lateral aspects of the lower leg and the dorsal side of the foot, helping the brain to interpret touch, temperature, and pain sensations in these areas.

Location

The common peroneal nerve is located in the lower leg, emerging from the sciatic nerve at the upper aspect of the popliteal fossa (the shallow depression located behind the knee). It then courses around the lateral side of the fibula, where it can be particularly vulnerable to injury. As it travels down the leg, it bifurcates into two branches: the superficial peroneal nerve and the deep peroneal nerve. The superficial peroneal nerve continues into the lateral compartment of the leg, while the deep peroneal nerve travels into the anterior compartment.

Did You Know?

The common peroneal nerve is one of the most commonly injured nerves, often due to trauma or compression at the fibular head.
Injury to the common peroneal nerve can result in 'foot drop', a condition where the individual is unable to lift the front part of the foot.
This nerve can be assessed through specific physical tests that evaluate both motor and sensory functions.
It is also involved in providing sensation to the first web space between the big toe and the second toe.