Peroneal Tendons

Synonyms

Fibularis tendons

Definition

Tendons are the end sections of muscles that provide for the attachment of the respective muscle to a specific bone point. Thus, the peroneal tendons belong to the muscles of the peroneal group and attach them to the foot. The muscles known as the peroneus group or fibularis group consist of the peroneus (or fibularis) longus muscle and the peroneus (or fibularis) brevis muscle, i.e. a long (longus) and a short (brevis) fibula muscle.

They are located on the outer lower leg, where they originate in the fibula (fibula). The peroneus longus muscle originates further proximal (i.e. further up the fibula) than the peroneus brevis muscle. The long muscle runs along the lateral lower leg and then tapers to its tendon, which runs in a tendon sheath behind the outer ankle (lateral malleolus) along to the foot.

One part of the tendon is attached to the sole of the foot, more precisely to the os cuneiforme (sphenoid bone), while the other part is attached to the back of the foot, at the base of the 1st metatarsal. This means that the second part runs diagonally over the entire back of the foot to its point of attachment. The tendon of the short peroneus muscle also runs in a tendon sheath behind the outer ankle and has its attachment point at the base of the 5th metatarsal.

The tendons serve as attachment points for the muscles. The function of the two muscles is primarily plantar flexion (i.e. lowering) and pronation (i.e. outward rotation) of the foot.

The two muscles are innervated by the nerve of the same name, namely the nervus peroneus (or fibularius) superficialis, the superficial nerve of the calf. The deep nerve of the calf (nervus peroneus or fibularis profundus), on the other hand, supplies the muscles of the anterior lower leg. The superficial fibular nerve is responsible for the innervation of both fibula muscles and for the sensitive supply of the back of the foot, but with a small area between the first and second toe, which is supplied by the peroneal nerve. A tear of one or both peroneal tendons is rare; it can occur in the course of a twisting event.