Dominic Stone
The fibularis longus muscle, also known as the peroneus longus, is a muscle in the lateral compartment of the leg. It is the larger and more superficial of the two lateral compartment muscles, the other being the fibularis brevis. The fibularis longus is responsible for eversion and plantarflexion of the ankle joint, turning the sole of the foot outwards and moving the ankle outward. The muscle also helps to stabilise the foot and maintain balance, especially during activities such as walking and running.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Fibularis Longus Muscle |
| Former Name | Peroneus Longus Muscle |
| Location | Lateral Compartment of the Leg |
| Nerve Supply | Superficial Peroneal Nerve |
| Blood Supply | Anterior Tibial and Peroneal Arteries |
| Function | Eversion and Plantarflexion of the Ankle Joint |
| Stabilization | Assists in Stabilizing the Lower Leg on the Ankle |
| Support | Supports the Transverse Arch in the Foot |
| Tendon | Thickened as it Turns Laterally Against the Cuboid Surface |
| Injury Risk | High Forces During Walking and Running |
| Injury Symptoms | Pain in the Lower Leg, Ankle, or Foot |
| Recovery Time | 3-6 Weeks to Several Months |
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What You'll Learn
The fibularis longus muscle's role in ankle flexion
The fibularis longus muscle, also known as the peroneus longus, is a crucial component of the lateral compartment of the lower leg. This muscle plays a significant role in ankle flexion, also known as eversion, which involves turning the sole of the foot outwards. The fibularis longus is the larger and more superficial muscle within the lateral compartment, with its tendon descending down the leg and into the foot.
The fibularis longus muscle originates from the fibular shaft and intermuscular septum and attaches to the base of the first metatarsal. This muscle is responsible for everting the foot, or moving the ankle outward, and also assists in plantar flexion, or pointing the toes downward. This dual action helps to stabilise the foot and ankle during various movements.
During ankle flexion, the fibularis longus muscle contracts and moves the ankle toward the smallest toe, providing lateral stability to the ankle joint. This lateral stability is essential for maintaining balance, especially when standing on one foot. The fibularis longus also supports the transverse arch of the foot, contributing to overall foot stability.
In addition to its role in ankle flexion, the fibularis longus muscle helps to stabilise the lower leg on the ankle during weight-bearing activities. This muscle is particularly active during running, where it works to fix the medial margin of the foot and prevent excessive inversion, or rolling inward, of the ankle. The strength of the fibularis longus tendon allows it to withstand the high forces exerted during running and other dynamic movements.
Injuries to the fibularis longus muscle can result in pain and limited mobility in the lower leg, ankle, and foot. Conditions such as peroneal tendonitis, where the long tendon of the muscle becomes inflamed, can affect the ability to walk or run. Therefore, maintaining the health and proper function of the fibularis longus muscle is crucial for overall lower body stability and mobility.
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The muscle's blood supply and nerve innervation
The fibularis longus muscle, also known as the peroneus longus, is an important muscle located in the lateral compartment of the leg. It serves to flex the ankle and move it outward, and injury to this muscle can cause pain and limited mobility.
The blood supply to the fibularis longus comes from the anterior tibial and peroneal arteries. Specifically, the muscle receives its blood supply from the fibular artery, a branch of the posterior tibial artery. The fibular artery runs within the posterior compartment of the leg but sends perforating arteries to the lateral compartment, where the fibularis longus is located.
The nerve supply to the fibularis longus is through the superficial peroneal nerve, also known as the superficial fibular nerve. This nerve arises from the lumbar (L5) and sacral (S1-S2) levels of the spine. It is a branch of the common fibular nerve, which is in turn a branch of the sciatic nerve. The common fibular nerve can be challenging to identify, but the fibularis longus serves as an anatomical landmark, with a small space between the parts of the muscle that originate from the head and neck of the fibula.
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Fibularis longus and its tendon
The fibularis longus is a muscle that is located in the lateral compartment of the leg. It is the larger and more superficial of the two lateral compartment muscles, the other being the fibularis brevis. The fibularis longus functions to evert the foot and stabilise it laterally at the ankle, aiding in clearing the ground during the swing phase. It also helps to flex the ankle and move it outward, and supports the transverse arch in the foot.
The fibularis longus is a strong muscle, and its tendon is able to withstand the high forces that may occur during walking and running. The tendon of the muscle descends down the leg and runs posterior to the lateral malleolus, along with the tendon of the fibularis brevis. These two tendons run within a tunnel in a common synovial sheath, covered by the superior fibular retinaculum. The tendon of the fibularis longus is thickened as it passes through this groove.
The tendon then crosses the lateral side of the cuboid and 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 the lateral surface of the first metatarsal.
The fibularis longus is innervated by the superficial fibular nerve, which is a branch of the common fibular nerve. The nerve supply to the muscle comes from lumbar level five and sacral levels one and two. The blood supply to the fibularis longus comes from the fibular artery, which is a branch of the posterior tibial artery.
Injury to the fibularis longus muscle can cause pain in the lower leg, ankle, or foot, and may result in difficulty with walking or running. Peroneal tendonitis, for example, is a condition where the long tendon of the peroneus muscle becomes inflamed and irritated. This can be caused by overuse, such as in jobs or sports that require a lot of running and jumping.
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Conditions and injuries associated with the fibularis longus
The fibularis longus muscle, also known as the peroneus longus, is a thin, long muscle located in the lateral compartment of the leg. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the ankle and foot during movement. This muscle is susceptible to various conditions and injuries that can impact its function and cause pain or discomfort.
One common condition associated with the fibularis longus is tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendon that attaches the muscle to the bone. This condition is often caused by repetitive stress or overuse, leading to pain and swelling on the outside of the ankle and along the course of the tendon. Individuals engaging in activities that involve frequent ankle movements, such as running or jumping, are particularly susceptible to developing tendonitis in this muscle.
Another injury that can affect the fibularis longus is a muscle strain or tear. This can occur when the muscle is stretched or contracted beyond its capacity, resulting in partial or complete tearing of the muscle fibers. Symptoms of a strain or tear include sudden pain, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected side. In more severe cases, a popping sensation or sound may be felt or heard at the time of injury.
Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that can also involve the fibularis longus muscle. It occurs when there is increased pressure within a confined muscular compartment, leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to the muscles and nerves. This condition can cause severe pain, swelling, and even permanent nerve damage if left untreated. Individuals experiencing symptoms of compartment syndrome, such as intense pain, tightness, or numbness, should seek immediate medical attention.
Additionally, the fibularis longus muscle can be affected by ankle sprains, particularly in cases of chronic ankle instability. This condition arises when the ligaments in the ankle become stretched or torn, leading to recurring ankle sprains and instability. As a result, the fibularis longus muscle may undergo excessive stretching or tearing, contributing to chronic pain and instability in the ankle joint.
In some cases, individuals may also experience a complete rupture of the fibularis longus tendon. This typically occurs as a result of a sudden, forceful movement or trauma to the ankle. Symptoms of a tendon rupture include a snapping sensation, immediate pain and weakness, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected side. A prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for optimal recovery.
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The muscle's location and structure
The fibularis longus muscle, also known as the peroneus longus muscle, is located in the lateral compartment of the leg. It is one of two muscles in this compartment, the other being the fibularis brevis (or peroneus brevis) muscle. The fibularis longus is the larger and more superficial of the two muscles, lying above the fibularis brevis and extending down the lateral compartment of the lower limb.
The fibularis longus originates from the fibular shaft and intermuscular septum, with its tendon descending down the leg and into the foot. The tendon runs behind the lateral malleolus, along with the tendon of the fibularis brevis, within a common synovial sheath covered by the superior fibular retinaculum. The tendon then crosses the lateral side of the cuboid bone, where it thickens and turns laterally, often forming a sesamoid bone at this site.
The muscle then continues more medially, inserting onto the lateral surface of the medial cuneiform and the first metatarsal. It rarely sends slips to the second metatarsal. The fibularis longus is innervated by the superficial fibular nerve, a branch of the common fibular nerve, which arises from the anterior rami of spinal nerves L4-S3. The muscle receives its blood supply from the fibular artery, a branch of the posterior tibial artery.
The fibularis longus is an important muscle that serves to flex and move the ankle outward (eversion). It also helps to stabilise the foot laterally at the ankle, aiding in clearing the ground during the swing phase. Additionally, the fibularis longus supports the transverse arch of the foot and helps to maintain balance when standing on one foot.
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Frequently asked questions
The fibularis longus muscle, also known as the peroneus longus muscle, is located in the lateral compartment of the leg.
The fibularis longus muscle causes eversion and plantarflexion of the ankle joint. It moves your ankle outward toward your smallest toe and helps the calf muscle in pointing your toes down.
Injury to the fibularis longus muscle can cause pain and difficulty walking or running. Peroneal tendonitis is a condition where the long tendon of the peroneus muscle becomes inflamed and irritated.
The nerve supply to the fibularis longus muscle is through the superficial peroneal nerve, which comes from lumbar level five and sacral levels one and two.
The tendon of the fibularis longus muscle descends down the leg and runs posterior to the lateral malleolus. It is thickened as it turns laterally and is often the site for a sesamoid bone.
