Anterior tarsal tunnel: deep fibular nerve
At the front of the ankle, the deep fibular nerve passes beneath the extensor retinacula alongside the dorsalis pedis artery and the extensor tendons. This passage is known as the anterior tarsal tunnel. This page shows it in 3D and on ultrasound.
Anatomy of the passage
On the anterior aspect of the ankle, the deep fibular nerve passes beneath the extensor retinacula. Footwear pressure, bony changes or neighbouring tissues may contribute to entrapment. Sensation in the first web space is a clinical landmark, although it does not by itself localise the lesion.
- Nerve
- Fibular nerve: fibular neck, ankle and leg
- Frequency
- Described site, less commonly seen.
- Type of evidence
- Anatomical and clinical review
References
- Bojovic M, Dimitrijevic S, Olory BCR, Eirale C, AlSeyrafi O, AlBaker AA, Krivokapic B, Jeremic D, DHooghe P. Overview of nerve entrapment syndromes in the foot and ankle. Int Orthop 2025. PubMed 40042611 · DOI
Ultrasound landmarks
On the anterior aspect of the ankle, the deep fibular nerve runs with the dorsalis pedis artery beneath the inferior extensor retinaculum, between the tendons of extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus.
Tests that load this nerve
Other sites of the same nerve
All entrapment sites
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