1G2 THE CAT. [CHAP. v. 



Tibialis posticus. — This muscle lies deeply and takes origin from 

 the hinder side of the tibia heneath the poplitens, and from the 

 hinder surface of the head of the tibula. It ends helow in a tendon 

 Avhich passes down the internal malleolus in a special groove placed 

 close to, hut in front of, the groove for the flexor longus digitorum. 

 It ends by being inserted into the prominence at the hinder part of 

 the inner border of the naviculare. Tliis muscle is naturally quite 

 covered in by the ilexor longus digitorum, save where its tendon 

 apjiears in front of that of the last named muscle. 



The ahduelor indicis is a small muscle arising from the plantar 

 fascia and tarsus at the root of the rudimentary hallux, and is 

 imjdantcd into tlie tibial side of the proximal phalanx of the index. 

 Oppoiicns nti)iimi digiti. — This is a narrow muscular band which 

 arises from the plantar fascia at the root of the index digit, and is 

 inserted into the metatarsal of the fifth digit. 



Ahduc/or di'jUi iniiiiiid. — This arises from the plantar surface of 

 the OS calcis, and is inserted by a delicate tendon into the peroneal 

 side of the proximal phalanx of the fifth digit. 



The infcrossei are a set of small muscular bundles — two to each 

 digit, except the rudimentary hallux. They all take origin from 

 the plantar surface of the proximal ends of the metatarsals, and 

 pass upon either side of these bones to their distal ends. There 

 they are inserted partly into the sesamoid bones (placed one beneath 

 the distal end of each metatarsal) and partly they ascend (like those 

 (jf the fore-paw) to be inserted into the extensor tendons. 



The pelvic limb is, like the rest of the body, clothed with a 

 subcutaneous siq^crficial fascia. In the thigh this takes the name 

 o( fascia lata, and is very dense (especially on the outer side of the 

 limb) and sends down expansions between the muscles, one larger 

 expansion penetrating to the linea aspera. 



The aponeurosis of the leg is continuous at the ankle with the 

 antt!rior annular ligament, beneath which pass the extensor tendons. 

 The iiifcnifd animlar /l(/aineiit passes from the inner malleolus to 

 the lieel, and transmits the flexor tendons. 



The external lateral li[/aiiient passes from the outer malleolus to 

 the heel, and transmits the tendons of the peroneus longus and 

 peroneus brevis. 



In the foot, as in tlie hand, synovial bursfc facilitate the passage 

 of the tendons. 



As to the STRETCH OF MtscLFs ovcv ihc segments of the pelvic 

 limb, tliere are certain muscles inserted into the pelvic girdle and 

 proceeding to it from the trunk — as the abdominal muscles and psoas 

 parvus; others pnjceed from the pelvic girdle to the thigh, as the 

 glutei ; otliers from the thigh to the leg, as vastus cxternus and 

 internus, and the crureus ; and finally, others fi'om the leg to the 

 foot, as the deep flexors of the digits. 



But muscles may pass directly from the trunk to the thigh, as the 

 psoas ; or directly from the pelvic girdle to the leg, as the ham-string 

 muscles; or directly fri)m the thigh to the foot, as the gastrocnemius. 



