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AnatomyLower limbKnee and legFibularis (peroneus) longus muscle
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AnatomyLower limbKnee and legFibularis (peroneus) longus muscle

Fibularis (peroneus) longus muscle

Author: Shahab Shahid, MBBS • Reviewer: Uruj Zehra, MBBS, MPhil, PhD
Last reviewed: July 20, 2023
Reading time: 6 minutes

Recommended video: Fibularis longus muscle (3D) [06:35]
Anatomy and functions of the fibularis longus muscle shown with 3D model animation.
Fibularis longus muscle (Musculus fibularis longus)

Fibularis (peroneus) longus is a long muscle located superficially in the lateral compartment of the leg, together with the fibularis brevis muscle. Fibularis longus spreads from the proximal aspect of the fibula to the medial cuneiform and the first metatarsal bones. 

The fibularis longus muscle is innervated by the superficial fibular nerve (L5, S1). The main function of this muscle is to produce the plantarflexion and eversion of the foot on the ankle joint.

In this article, we will discuss the anatomy and function of the muscle, as well as its clinical relevance. 

Key facts about the fibularis longus muscle
Origin Head of fibula, proximal 2/3 of lateral surface of fibula, intermuscular septa
Insertion Medial cuneiform bone, metatarsal bone 1
Action Talocrural joint: Foot plantar flexion;
Subtalar joint: Foot eversion;
Supports longitudinal and transverse arches of foot
Innervation Superficial fibular nerve (L5, S1)
Blood supply Fibular artery
Contents
  1. Origin and insertion
  2. Innervation
  3. Blood supply
  4. Function
  5. Clinical relations
    1. Peroneal tenosynovitis
    2. Superior peroneal retinaculum injuries
    3. Common peroneal/fibular nerve palsy
  6. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and insertion

Fibularis longus muscle
Musculus fibularis longus
1/3
Synonyms: Peroneus longus muscle, Musculus peroneus longus

The peroneus longus is also known as fibularis longus. It arises from the head, superior two-thirds of the lateral fibular shaft, anterior and posterior crural intermuscular septa and occasionally from the lateral condyle of tibia.

The tendon of the muscle descends down the leg, and runs posterior to the lateral malleolus along with the tendon of the peroneus (fibularis) brevis. These two muscles run within a tunnel in a common synovial sheath covered by the superior fibular retinaculum, and the tendon of fibularis longus is thickened as is passes through.

The tendon of the muscle crosses the lateral side of the cuboid, and then proceeds to run against its inferior surface. It is thickened as it turns laterally against the surface of the cuboid, and is often the site for a sesamoid bone. This groove is converted into a tunnel by the long plantar ligament.

The muscle then continues to run from the lateral side of the cuboid more medially, and inserts onto the lateral surface of the medial cuneiform as well as lateral surface of the first metatarsal. It rarely sends slips to the second metatarsal. Its route along the lateral part of the foot and insertion onto the lateral surfaces of the medial cuneiform and first metatarsal, indicate its functional role in maintaining the transverse arch. 

Innervation

The superficial fibular nerve, which is a branch of the common fibular nerve (arises from the anterior rami of spinal nerves L4-S3, and is a branch of the sciatic nerve which also arises from the anterior rami of spinal nerves L4-S3) innervates the muscle. It also supplies motor innervation to the fibularis brevis muscle, and sensation to the anterior and lateral surfaces of the leg.

Blood supply

The muscle gets its blood supply from the fibular artery, which is a branch of the posterior tibial artery. The artery in fact runs within the posterior compartment of the leg, but sends perforating arteries through to the lateral compartment.

Superficial fibular nerve
Nervus fibularis superficialis
1/2
Synonyms: Superficial peroneal nerve, Nervus peroneus superficialis

Function

Functionally, the lateral compartment of the leg causes eversion and plantarflexion of the ankle. Recall that the talocrural joint allows for flexion and extension only, and inversion and eversion in fact occur at the subtalar joint. Muscles that cause inversion include tibialis anterior, and tibialis posterior. The lateral compartment muscles work with tibialis posterior (which is also a plantarflexor) to oppose the actions of the dorsiflexor muscles (tibialis anterior and fibularis tertius).

Go ahead and quiz yourself on the fibularis longus and other muscles of the leg to consolidate what you learned so far!

Clinical relations

Peroneal tenosynovitis

Peroneal tenosynovitis is a pathological condition affecting the common peroneal tedon, associated with fluid accumulation within the tedon sheath. Clinically, it presents with localized swelling and tenderness along the tendon sheath itself. Acute peroneal tenosynovitis is typically seen in athletes who resume their activity after a layoff. It can have a variety of causes, including:

  • Stress around the retromalleolar groove, peroneal tubercle or undersurface of the cuboid bone
  • Ankle inversion injuries
  • Lateral malleolar and calcaneal fractures
  • Tear of the calcaneofibular ligament

Superior peroneal retinaculum injuries

These types of injuries usually involve stripping of the superior peroneal retinaculum (SPR) from its distal fibular attachment and lateral dislocation of the peroneal tendons out of the retromalleolar groove. The acute forms manifest with echymosis, swelling and pain along the laterall malleolus. These injuries can have a variety of causes, including:

  • Sudden dorsiflexion of the foot with concomitant violent contraction of the peroneal muscles
  • Congenital foot deformities
  • Fractures of the distal tibia and calcaneus

Common peroneal/fibular nerve palsy

Common peroneal/fibular nerve palsy results in a loss of motor supply to the anterior and lateral compartments of the leg, as well as a loss of sensation to the anterior and lateral compartments of the leg, and dorsum of the foot. Isolated damage to the deep branch will affect the anterior compartment only, as well as sensation to the first dorsal web space of the foot. Impingement of the common fibular nerve commonly occurs following an overly tight cast of the leg, or tight clothing.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

Illustrators:

  • Fibularis longus muscle (Musculus fibularis longus) - Liene Znotina

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