Lateral Compartment of the Leg

The lateral crural compartment, also called the peroneal compartment, is made up of two muscles whose tendons cross the ankle joint posterior to and under the lateral malleolus. This makes them flexors of the foot. These muscles are the:
  • peroneus longus
  • peroneus brevis

Nerves of Lateral Leg Compartment

The superficial peroneal nerve branches from the common peroneal nerve near the neck of the fibula and passes between the peroneus longus and brevis muscles, at which point they supply the muscles. The superficial branch then continues onto the dorsum of the foot to supply the skin there.

Arteries of the Lateral Leg

The arteries to the tissues in this region are from both the anterior and posterior tibial branches of the popliteal artery.

Table of Muscles

Muscle Origin Insertion Action Nerve
Supply
peroneus longus shaft of fibula base of first metatarsal and
the medial cuneiform		 plantar flexes (flexes) foot; everts foot
at subtalar and transverse talar joints;
supports lateral longitudinal arch and transverse arch of foot		 superficial peroneal nerve
peroneus brevis shaft of fibula base of fifth metatarsal bone plantar flexes (flexes) foot:everts foot
at subtalar and transverse talar joints; holds up lateral longitudinal arch		 superficial peroneal nerve


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Lower Limb Bones |  Medial Thigh |  Gluteal Region |  Posterior Thigh |  Anterior Leg and Dorsal Foot |  Lateral Leg |  Posterior Leg |  Sole of the Foot |  Ankle |  Radiographs of the Lower Limb |  Joints of the Lower Limb |  Table of Muscles | 



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