
The peroneal muscles, also known as fibularis or peroneus muscles, are a group of muscles in the lower leg. The group is typically composed of three muscles: 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 peroneal muscles are highly variable, and several variants are occasionally present, including the peroneus digiti minimi and the peroneus quartus. The peroneal muscles are responsible for various functions, including eversion, plantar flexion, and dorsiflexion of the foot. They are also associated with various pathological conditions, such as tendinosis, tendon tears, and tendonitis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Fibularis muscles, Peroneus muscles |
| Muscle Group Composition | Fibularis longus, fibularis brevis, fibularis tertius |
| Muscle Group Location | Lateral compartment of the leg |
| Muscle Innervation | Superficial fibular nerve (L5, S1) |
| Muscle Blood Supply | Fibular artery, anterior tibial artery, peroneal artery |
| Muscle Function | Plantar flexion, eversion of the foot, ankle stabilization, support of the transverse arch in the foot |
| Muscle Tendons | Peroneus longus, peroneus brevis |
| Muscle Pathology | Tendinosis, tendon tears, tenosynovitis, subluxation, dislocation, tendinopathy |
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What You'll Learn
- Peroneal muscles are a group of muscles in the lower leg
- Peroneal tendons are extensions of the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles
- Peroneal muscles are innervated by the superficial peroneal nerve
- Peroneal tenosynovitis is a pathological condition affecting the common peroneal tendon
- Peroneal muscles can be overstretched or strained by forceful movement of the foot or ankle

Peroneal muscles are a group of muscles in the lower leg
The peroneal muscles, also known as the fibularis or peroneus muscles, are a group of muscles in the lower leg. This muscle group typically consists of three muscles: the fibularis longus, fibularis brevis, and fibularis tertius. The first two are located in the lateral compartment of the leg, while the fibularis tertius is located in the anterior compartment.
The fibularis longus and fibularis brevis are supplied by the fibular artery and the superficial fibular nerve, a branch of the common fibular nerve. The fibularis tertius, on the other hand, is supplied by the anterior tibial artery and the deep fibular nerve. All three muscles work together to move the sole of the foot outward, away from the body's midline (eversion). Additionally, the longus and brevis extend the foot downward (plantar flexion), while the tertius muscle pulls the foot upward (dorsiflexion).
The fibularis longus is a long muscle located superficially in the lateral compartment of the leg, along with the fibularis brevis. The longus muscle originates from the head and superior two-thirds of the fibula, and it helps produce plantar flexion and eversion of the foot at the ankle joint. It also provides support to the transverse arch of the foot. The fibularis brevis, a shorter muscle, assists with the eversion of the foot and, to a lesser extent, plantar flexion of the ankle.
The peroneal muscles are susceptible to various conditions, including tendinopathy, tendon tears, tenosynovitis, and subluxation or dislocation, which can cause posterolateral ankle pain. Peroneal tendonitis, for example, is when the long tendon of the peroneus muscle becomes inflamed and irritated. Strains can range from a mild overstretch to a full-thickness tear of the peroneus muscle, and recovery times can vary from weeks to months, depending on the severity.
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Peroneal tendons are extensions of the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles
The peroneal muscles, also known as the fibularis muscles, are a group of muscles in the lower leg. The peroneus longus and peroneus brevis are the two muscles that make up the lateral compartment of the leg. The peroneal tendons are extensions of these two muscles.
The peroneus longus is a long muscle located in the lateral compartment of the leg, alongside the fibularis brevis muscle. It originates from the head and superior two-thirds of the lateral fibular shaft, as well as the lateral tibial condyle and, occasionally, the lateral condyle of the tibia. The peroneus longus tendon descends down the leg and runs posterior to the lateral malleolus, along with the tendon of the peroneus brevis. The tendon of the peroneus longus is thickened as it passes through the retromalleolar groove, a tunnel formed by a common synovial sheath covered by the superior peroneal retinaculum. The tendon then crosses the lateral side of the cuboid and runs against its inferior surface. It thickens again as it turns laterally and is often the site for a sesamoid bone. The muscle continues to run from the lateral side of the cuboid more medially and inserts onto the lateral surface of the medial cuneiform and the first metatarsal.
The peroneus brevis originates from the distal or lower two-thirds of the lateral surface of the fibula and the adjacent intermuscular septum. It lies underneath the peroneus longus and is shorter, with a thicker muscle belly. The peroneus brevis tendon begins at roughly 2 to 4 cm proximal to the tip of the lateral malleolus and runs posterior to the fibula, crossing the ankle and inserting on the lateral aspect of the fifth metatarsal.
The peroneal muscles are innervated by the superficial fibular (peroneal) nerve, a branch of the common fibular nerve, which originates from the sciatic nerve. The peroneus longus receives nerve supply from lumbar level five and sacral levels one and two. The arterial supply to the peroneus brevis comes from muscular branches of the peroneal artery, while the peroneus longus receives blood supply from the anterior tibial and peroneal arteries.
The peroneal muscles are susceptible to various conditions, including tendinopathy, tendon tears, tenosynovitis, subluxation, and dislocation, which can cause posterolateral ankle pain. Peroneal tendonitis occurs when the long tendon of the peroneus muscle becomes inflamed and irritated. Peroneal tenosynovitis is associated with fluid accumulation within the tendon sheath and typically affects athletes.
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Peroneal muscles are innervated by the superficial peroneal nerve
The peroneal muscles, also called the fibularis or peroneus muscles, are a group of muscles in the lower leg. The muscle group is 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 peroneal muscles are innervated by the superficial peroneal nerve, also known as the superficial fibular nerve, which is a branch of the common fibular nerve. The nerve supply to the peroneus longus is through the superficial peroneal nerve, which comes from lumbar level five and sacral levels one and two. The fibularis longus muscle is also innervated by the superficial fibular nerve, along with the fibularis brevis muscle.
The function of the fibularis longus muscle is to plantar flex and evert the foot, and it also provides support to both the longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot. The fibularis brevis muscle assists with the eversion of the foot and, to a weaker extent, plantarflexes the ankle. The fibularis tertius muscle pulls the foot upward toward the body (dorsiflexion).
The peroneal muscles are highly variable, and several variants are occasionally present, including the peroneus digiti minimi and the peroneus quartus. The tendons of the peroneal muscles pass posterior to the lateral malleolus within a common synovial sheath, held in place by the superior peroneal retinaculum. The peroneal tendons are extensions of the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles that make up the lateral compartment of the leg.
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Peroneal tenosynovitis is a pathological condition affecting the common peroneal tendon
The peroneal muscles (or fibularis muscles) are a group of muscles in the lower leg, composed of 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. These muscles are responsible for moving the sole of the foot outward and away from the midline of the body (eversion), as well as extending the foot downward (plantar flexion).
The condition typically presents with pain and swelling in the posterolateral aspect of the ankle, along the course of the peroneal tendons. Diagnosis involves a physical examination, including palpation of the affected area and assessment of ankle movements. Imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or ultrasounds may also be utilised to rule out other conditions.
Treatment for peroneal tenosynovitis aims to alleviate tendon pain and inflammation. Conservative treatments, such as bracing and ankle stabilisation, are usually the first line of management. However, if conservative treatments are ineffective, surgery may be considered. The surgical procedure, known as a synovectomy, involves removing the damaged outer layers of tissue from the peroneal tendons.
Peroneal tenosynovitis is distinct from peroneal tendonitis (or tendinopathy), which is often acute or chronic irritation of the peroneal tendons without the presence of significant inflammation. Peroneal tendonitis is typically caused by overuse of the tendons or sudden injuries, such as ankle sprains, and is more common in individuals who participate in sports involving frequent ankle movements.
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Peroneal muscles can be overstretched or strained by forceful movement of the foot or ankle
The peroneal muscles, also called the fibularis or peroneus muscles, are a group of muscles in the lower leg. The group is typically 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 peroneal muscles are highly variable, and several variants are occasionally present, including the peroneus digiti minimi and the peroneus quartus.
The peroneal muscles can be overstretched or strained by forceful movement of the foot or ankle. For example, if the foot is forcefully moved into dorsiflexion or inversion, the peroneal tendons can get overstretched, and the retinaculum that holds them in place may get damaged. This may lead to tendon subluxation, where the peroneus longus tendon moves out of place behind the lateral malleolus of the ankle, then snaps back into place. This condition may cause pain or discomfort but is not always painful. The healing time from a tendon subluxation can be three months or longer, depending on the severity of the injury and the treatment method.
The peroneal muscles are also susceptible to tendinopathy, a condition that includes both tendinosis and tendonitis. Tendinosis is characterised by chronic attrition at the retromalleolar groove, while tendonitis refers to the inflammation and irritation of the tendon. Peroneal tendonitis can cause pain in the lower leg, ankle, or foot. The recovery time for a strained muscle can vary from three to six weeks to several months, depending on the severity of the strain.
The peroneal muscles are involved in the movement of the foot and ankle. The fibularis longus and fibularis brevis are responsible for eversion of the foot, which is the outward tilting of the sole away from the midline of the body. They also contribute to plantar flexion, which is the downward movement of the foot away from the body. In contrast, the fibularis tertius pulls the foot upward toward the body in a movement called dorsiflexion. The peroneus brevis muscle is particularly relevant to occupational medicine due to its frequent involvement in lateral ankle sprains. Its tendon, along with that of the peroneus longus, is the most commonly dislocated tendon in the ankle.
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Frequently asked questions
The peroneal muscles, also known as the fibularis or peroneus muscles, are a group of muscles in the lower leg. The group is typically composed of three muscles: fibularis longus, fibularis brevis, and fibularis tertius.
The peroneal muscles work to move the sole of the foot outward, away from the body (eversion). The longus and brevis muscles also extend the foot downward away from the body (plantar flexion), while the tertius muscle pulls the foot upward toward the body (dorsiflexion). The peroneus longus also helps to stabilise the lower leg on the ankle and provides support to the transverse arch in the foot.
The peroneal muscles can be overstretched (strained) by forceful movements of the foot or ankle. Strains can range from a mild overstretch to a full-thickness tear of the peroneus muscle. Peroneal tendonitis is another condition that can affect the peroneal muscles, causing the tendon to become inflamed and irritated.











































