164 ELEMENTS OF MAMMALIAN ANATOMY 



bladder then a smaller branch to the external genital organs, 

 and numerous branches to the muscles on the caudal aspect of 

 the femur. The branches of the hypogastric (internal iliac) are 

 the umbilical to th(ih\'dddcT , the superior gluteal to ihepdvicwsiW, 

 the middle hemorrhoidal to the rectum and the inferior gluteal. 



The femoral artery, which is a continuation of the external 

 iliac, extends along the medial aspect of the femur. In the 

 proximal half of its course it is quite superficial, and lies in a 

 triangular space known as Scarpa's triangle and in Hunter's 

 canal, but the distal portion is covered by the gracilis, sar- 

 torius, and semimembranosus muscles. It furnishes four 

 important branches: the circumflexa femoris lateralis supplying 

 mainly the quadriceps extensor muscle; the muscular branches 

 supplying the adductor and hamstring muscles; genu supre?na 

 to the knee, the saphenous, accompanying the saphenous nerve 

 and vein to the foot, where it branches and anastomoses with 

 the plantar artery ; and the .sural artery supplying mainly the 

 gastrocnemius group of muscles (Fig. 49) . 



The popliteal artery is the continuation of the femoral artery 

 in the popliteal region on the caudal aspect of the knee-joint. 

 One or two articular branches are given off here to the joint, in 

 addition to the posterior tibial, which supplies the deep muscles 

 of the crus. 



The anterior tibial artery is the continuation of the popliteal 

 on the lateral cranial aspect of the tibia, adjacent to the bone. 

 By separating the tibialis anticus and extensor longus digitorum 

 muscles, this artery is well displayed. Near the knee-joint a 

 small branch, the peroneal, is given off, and passes to the dorsal 

 aspect of the foot, where it anastomoses with the dorsal branch 

 of the saphenous, forming a superficial arch sending branches to 

 the digits. The peroneal is so small that it is frequently not 

 injected. In the tarsal region two branches, an external or 

 lateral anterior malleolar and an internal or medial anterior 

 malleolar, are given oii. A centimeter or two distal to the latter 

 branch, the main artery passes between the second and third 



