282 



ANATOMY OF THE RABBIT 



In preparation for the muscular dissection of the leg, the in- 

 sertion tendons of the biceps femoris, tensor fasciae cruris, gracilis, 

 and semimembranosus muscles should be removed from about the 

 knee-joint. The adductor magnus may be detached from the 

 medial condyle of the femur, but the popliteal vessels must be kept 

 intact. The superficial blood-vessels of the leg should be noted, 

 since it is necessary to clear them away in separating the muscles. 

 They include, medially, the great saphenous artery and vein and, 

 laterally, the branches of the small saphenous artery to the insertion 

 portions of the muscles of the thigh and its continuation on the 

 posterolateral border of the leg; also the sciatic vein, with the an- 

 terior tibial vein, of which it is the continuation, and the accessory 

 small saphenous vein (p. 287). The tibial and peroneal nerves 

 may be cut, after first noting their position. 



4. Muscles arising from the medial and lateral condyles of the 

 femur and from the proximal portions of the tibia and fibula, 

 including the tibial condyles; inserted on the foot. The group 



Postenor 



Fig. 105. Transverse section of the proximal portion of the leg: a.s.m., great 

 saphenous artery; a.s.p., small saphenous artery; a.p., a.t.a., anterior tibial 

 artery; b.f., biceps femoris (insertion); e.d.l., extensor digitorum longus; e.h.l., 

 extensor hallucis longus; f., fibula; f.d.l., flexor digitorum longus; g.l., and 

 g.m., lateral and medial heads of the gastrocnemius; gr., gracilis (insertion 

 tendon); n.s., greater saphenous nerve; n.s.m., lesser saphenous nerve; n.t. tibial 

 nerve; pi., plantaria; s, soleus; t., tibia; t.a., tibialis anterior; t.f.c, tensor fasciae 

 cruis (insertion); v. is., sciatic vein; v.s.m., great saphenous vein; v.s.p., small 

 saphenous vein; 1-4, the peronaei (primus-quartus). 



