Fibularis Muscles: Their Function, Anatomy, And Role In The Body

what are fibularis muscles

The fibularis muscles, also known as the peroneus or peroneal muscles, are a group of muscles in the lower leg. They are composed of three muscles: the fibularis longus, fibularis brevis, and fibularis tertius. The fibularis longus and fibularis brevis are located in the lateral compartment of the leg, while the fibularis tertius is located in the anterior compartment. The function of these muscles is to move the sole of the foot outward and away from the midline of the body, with the longus and brevis also extending the foot downward and the tertius pulling it upward. The fibularis muscles are highly variable, and injuries to them are common in young, active individuals, especially those who play sports.

Characteristics Values
Group Name Fibularis Muscles
Alternative Names Peroneus Muscles, Peroneals
Number of Muscles 3
Muscle Names Fibularis Longus, Fibularis Brevis, Fibularis Tertius
Muscle Location Lateral Compartment of the Leg (Fibularis Longus, Fibularis Brevis), Anterior Compartment of the Leg (Fibularis Tertius)
Muscle Innervation Superficial Fibular Nerve (Fibularis Longus, Fibularis Brevis), Deep Fibular Nerve (Fibularis Tertius)
Muscle Blood Supply Fibular Artery (Fibularis Longus, Fibularis Brevis), Anterior Tibial Artery (Fibularis Tertius)
Muscle Function Eversion (Tilting the Sole of the Foot Outward), Plantar Flexion (Extending the Foot Downward), Dorsiflexion (Pulling the Foot Upward)
Muscle Architecture Pennate Muscles, Bipennate Muscles, Parallel-fibred Muscles
Muscle Susceptibility Peroneal Tenosynovitis, Fibularis Longus and Brevis Tendon Tears, Fibular Avulsion Fractures

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The fibularis longus and fibularis brevis muscles

The fibularis muscles, also known as the peroneus or peroneal muscles, are a group of muscles in the lower leg. The fibularis longus and fibularis brevis are two muscles that make up the lateral compartment of the lower leg. The fibularis longus is the largest of the fibularis muscles and lies superficial to the fibularis brevis. These two muscles work together to produce movements in the ankle joint and provide support to the foot.

The fibularis longus originates from the head and proximal two-thirds of the lateral surface of the fibula shaft, as well as the adjacent surface of the intermuscular septum. It spreads from the proximal aspect of the fibula to the medial cuneiform and the first metatarsal bones. The tendon of the fibularis longus descends down the leg and turns at the retromalleolar region, where it is secured in place by the superior peroneal retinaculum. The main function of this muscle is to produce plantar flexion and eversion of the foot on the ankle joint. It also provides support to the arches of the foot.

The fibularis brevis originates from the distal two-thirds of the lateral surface of the fibula shaft and the adjacent intermuscular septum. It is located deep and anterior to the fibularis longus. The muscle fibres of the fibularis brevis descend towards the foot, giving off a tendon just proximal to the ankle. This tendon passes behind the lateral malleolus and inserts into the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal bone. The function of the fibularis brevis is the eversion of the foot.

Both the fibularis longus and brevis are innervated by the superficial fibular nerve (L5, S1) and receive their blood supply from branches of the anterior tibial and fibular arteries. These muscles are susceptible to various pathologies, including injuries, tears, and fractures.

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The fibularis tertius muscle

The fibularis muscles, also known as the peroneus muscles or peroneals, are a group of muscles in the lower leg. The fibularis longus, fibularis brevis, and fibularis tertius make up the muscle group. The fibularis longus and fibularis brevis are located in the lateral compartment of the leg, while the fibularis tertius is located in the anterior compartment.

The fibularis tertius tendon is penetrated by the tendon of the tibialis cranialis muscle, which then divides into three branches: the medial, middle, and lateral branches. These branches insert onto the central, third, and fourth tarsal bones, as well as the proximal metatarsal region. The fibularis tertius muscle cannot be tested in isolation, so the four muscles of the anterior compartment of the leg are tested simultaneously by dorsiflexing the foot at the ankle joint against resistance.

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The muscles' origin and insertion

The fibularis muscles, also known as the peroneals, are a group of muscles on the lateral side of the lower leg. They are crucial in maintaining balance and stability. The muscles originate from the fibula, with the name "peroneals" derived from the Greek root of the word for the needle-like part of a clasp, resembling the bone.

The fibularis longus, previously called the peroneus longus, is a slender, elongated muscle located on the lateral aspect of the leg. It is one of three fibularis muscles, alongside the fibularis tertius and fibularis brevis. The origin of the fibularis longus is extensive, starting from the head and the top two-thirds of the lateral surface of the fibula, and extending to the intermuscular septa that separate it from neighbouring muscles. This broad origin provides a strong anchor for the muscle.

The fibularis longus tendon then passes behind the lateral malleolus, continuing past the calcaneus, where it moves underneath the foot, inserting onto the base of the first metatarsal and the medial cuneiform. This pathway allows the muscle to facilitate its mechanical leverage and influence its functional role in foot dynamics. The fibularis longus is the largest of the fibularis muscles and plays a key role in the eversion of the foot, helping to move it outward and assisting with plantarflexion of the ankle.

The fibularis brevis is a short, fusiform-type skeletal muscle. It originates from the distal two-thirds of the lateral surface of the fibula and adjacent intermuscular septa. The tendon of the fibularis brevis travels towards the malleolar groove of the fibula, hooks around it, and changes its pull direction to anteroinferior. The tendon then passes through the common tendinous sheath of the fibularis muscles and continues towards its insertion site.

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The muscles' architecture

The fibularis muscles are a group of muscles in the lower leg, composed of three muscles: the fibularis longus, fibularis brevis, and fibularis tertius. The first two muscles are located in the lateral compartment of the leg, while the fibularis tertius is located in the anterior compartment. The fibularis longus is the largest of the three muscles and lies superficially to the fibularis brevis.

The fibularis longus and fibularis brevis are supplied by the fibular artery and the superficial fibular nerve, which arises from the fifth lumbar and first sacral roots of the spinal cord. The fibularis tertius, on the other hand, is supplied by the anterior tibial artery and the deep fibular nerve.

The tendons of the fibularis longus and brevis run through a groove in the posterior aspect of the lateral malleoli and then traverse to their insertions on the foot. The fibularis longus tendon turns at the retromalleolar region and in the cuboid tunnel, where it is secured in place by the superior peroneal retinaculum. The tendon then crosses the lateral side of the cuboid and proceeds to run against its inferior surface.

The fibularis longus and fibularis brevis are both pennate muscles, which means that the muscle fibres lie at an angle to the line of action. The pennation angles of these muscles change over their length, affecting the force and excursion of the muscles. The fibularis longus has a larger volume than the fibularis brevis, but the strength of a muscle is not solely based on its volume. Instead, it is determined by the physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), which is the area of a section that passes through most or all of the muscle fibres.

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Common fibularis injuries

The fibularis muscles, also called peroneus muscles, are a group of muscles in the lower leg. They are composed of three muscles: the fibularis longus, fibularis brevis, and fibularis tertius. The fibularis longus and fibularis brevis are located in the lateral compartment of the leg, while the fibularis tertius is located in the anterior compartment. All three muscles work to move the sole of the foot outward and away from the midline of the body (eversion), but the longus and brevis also extend the foot downward away from the body (plantar flexion). On the other hand, the tertius muscle pulls the foot upward toward the body (dorsiflexion).

The fibularis muscles are susceptible to various injuries, which are commonly seen in athletes, dancers, and runners. The most common site of injury is directly posterior to the lateral malleolus, and injuries can occur suddenly due to accidents or falls, or develop slowly over time due to overuse or chronic misalignment of the foot. When injured, people often experience pain in the ankle region, which can be confused with a lateral ankle sprain. This is because the fibularis tendons are often injured alongside an ankle sprain, and the pain from the sprain tends to overshadow the pain from the fibularis injury.

Fibularis tendon injuries can cause lateral ankle pain and may lead to ankle instability. The peroneus longus tendon is particularly susceptible to tears, which most commonly occur longitudinally due to subluxation over the fibula but can also present as transverse tears. Fibular avulsion fractures can also occur as a result of peroneus longus tendon tears. In addition to tears, peroneal tendonitis is a common injury affecting the fibularis tendons. It is characterised by inflammation of the tendons connecting the lower leg to the foot and is typically caused by overuse or repetitive motions. Peroneal tendonitis is often seen in runners, dancers, and athletes who participate in sports with frequent direction changes or jumping, such as basketball or skiing.

To treat fibularis injuries, conservative treatments are usually recommended. This can include bracing or immobilisation to support and stabilise the ankle and foot. Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce pain and inflammation. Physical therapy is also beneficial, as it helps improve strength and flexibility in the foot and ankle. In some cases, steroid injections or ultrasound therapy may be suggested.

Frequently asked questions

The fibularis muscles, also called peroneus muscles or peroneals, are a group of muscles in the lower leg.

There are three fibularis muscles: fibularis longus, fibularis brevis, and fibularis tertius.

All three muscles move the sole of the foot outward, away from the midline of the body (eversion). The longus and brevis extend the foot downward away from the body (plantar flexion), while the tertius muscle pulls the foot upward toward the body (dorsiflexion).

Peroneal tenosynovitis is a pathological condition affecting the common peroneal tendon, resulting in fluid accumulation within the tendon sheath. The fibularis longus muscle is also susceptible to injuries such as contracture/shortening and tendon tears.

The fibularis longus is the longest and most superficial of the three fibularis muscles. It is also larger in volume than the fibularis brevis, making it the stronger evertor of the two.

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