Peroneus Brevis

The peroneus brevis is a fusiform muscle that lies deep to peroneus longus. The peroneus brevis is shorter than its partner in the lateral compartment. It’s sometimes called Fibularis brevis.

The lateral compartment of the leg, or evertor compartment, is the smallest (narrowest) of the leg compartments. It is bounded by the lateral surface of the fibula, the anterior and posterior intermuscular septa, and the deep fascia of the leg. It contains the peroneus longus and brevis muscles. These muscles have their fleshy bellies in the lateral compartment but are tendinous as they exit the compartment within the common synovial sheath deep to the superior fibular retinaculum.

See Also: Peroneus Longus Muscle

Peroneus Brevis Anatomy

The Peroneus Brevis’s broad tendon grooves the posterior aspect of the lateral malleolus and can be palpated inferior to it. The narrower tendon of the peroneus longus lies posterior to the tendon of the peroneus brevis and does not contact the lateral malleolus.

The tendon of the peroneus brevis traverses the superior compartment of the inferior fibular retinaculum, passing superior to the fibular trochlea of the calcaneus; it can be easily traced to its distal attachment to the base of the 5th metatarsal. The tendon of the peroneus tertius, a slip of muscle from the extensor digitorum longus, often merges with the tendon of the peroneus brevis. Occasionally, however, the peroneus tertius passes anteriorly to attach directly to the proximal phalanx of the 5th digit.

See Also: Lateral Compartment of the Leg

See Also: Anterior Compartment of Leg

Origin

The peroneus brevis muscle originates from the inferior 2/3 of lateral fibular surface and anterior and posterior intermuscular septa of leg.

Insertion

It inserts on the lateral surface of styloid process of 5th metatarsal base

Innervation

Peroneus brevis muscle is innervated by Superficial peroneal nerve (L5, S1, S2) (L5, S1, S2).

Blood Supply

Blood supply comes from Muscular branches of peroneal artery.

Action

Peroneus brevis muscle acts to evert foot and plantar flexes ankle joint.

Conservative treatment is usually sufficient for the peroneus brevis tendon injury; surgery to reattach or reconstruct the tendon may be necessary for highly active individuals. This muscle is used in reconstructive and plastic surgery of the lower extremity, most commonly in non-healing wounds related to diabetic lower extremity ulcers. Plastic surgeons use the peroneus brevis muscle flap to reconstruct small defects in the lower third of the anterior leg. In addition, the muscle and the peroneal artery can be transposed to small distal leg wounds.

References & More

1. Clinically Oriented Anatomy – 8th Edition
2. Basit H, Shah J, Siccardi MA. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Foot Peroneus Brevis Muscle. [Updated 2023 Apr 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535427/