284 ANATOMY OF THE RABBIT 



The muscle may be displaced by dividing the crural 

 ligament. 



The anterior tibial artery and its peroneal branch lie behind this 

 muscle, the former in a medial position, in contact with the tibia, the 

 latter on the peronaei muscles in company with the peroneal nerve. 



B. Peronaeus group. These muscles arise from the lateral 

 surface of the leg, and are inserted on all surfaces at the lateral side 

 of the foot. The insertion tendons reach the foot from beneath the 

 lateral malleolus. The muscles can be separated after the tendons 

 are released from this position. 



(a) The peronaeus longus (p. primus). Origin: Lateral con- 

 dyle of the tibia and head of the fibula. Insertion: End 

 of the reduced first metatarsal. The tendon crosses the 

 plantar surface of the foot, passing around the distal end 

 of the cuboid bone. 



The muscle should be divided. 



(b) The peronaeus brevis (p. secundus). Origin: Lateral 

 condyle of the tibia and corresponding surface of the shaft; 

 also the crural interosseous ligament joining the tibia and 

 fibula. Insertion: Tuberosity of the base of the fifth 

 metatarsal. 



(c) The peronaeus tertius (p. digiti quinti). Origin: The head 

 of the fibula and the crural interosseous ligament, fused 

 with the flexor digitorum longus. Insertion: Head of the 

 fifth metatarsal, and distally, united with the tendon of the 

 extensor digitorum longus, on the phalanges of this digit. 



(d) The peronaeus quartus (p. digiti quarti) . Origin : The fibula 

 and the interosseous ligament, fused with the peronaeus 

 brevis and with the flexor digitorum longus. Insertion: 

 Head of the fourth metatarsal. 



C. Flexor group. The muscles arise from the medial and 

 lateral condyles of tibia and femur (the flexor digitorum sublimis 

 from the posterior surface of the tibia). They lie behind the axis 

 of the tibia, and are inserted both on the heel and on the plantar 

 surface of the foot. 



(a) The triceps surae comprises: 



(1) The gastrocnemius. Origin in two portions. Caput 

 laterale: Lateral condyles of tibia and femur and related 



