Which nerve wraps around the head of the fibula and lies laterally below the knee?

The common peroneal nerve is responsible for innervating the muscles that control ankle and toe movements and is an important structure in the lower limb. Its pathway involves wrapping around the head of the fibula, which is located laterally just below the knee. This positioning makes it particularly vulnerable to injury, especially with trauma to the fibular head, which can lead to foot drop due to its role in innervating the muscles responsible for dorsiflexion.

The common peroneal nerve branches from the sciatic nerve and travels laterally around the fibula, then divides into the superficial and deep peroneal nerves. This anatomical feature is essential for a proper understanding of lower limb function and potential sites of nerve injury.

In contrast, the tibial nerve runs more medially and continues down the posterior compartment of the leg, while the femoral and obturator nerves are primarily associated with the anterior and medial compartments of the thigh, respectively. Therefore, the common peroneal nerve is the correct choice due to its specific anatomical course around the fibula and its location below the knee.