66 



ANATOMY OF THE RABBIT 



forms the bulk of the calf of the leg. Tendons of the two heads 

 fuse together and with tendon fibers of the soleus m. (44) insert 

 into the end of the os calcis so as to form a tubular sheath 

 through which the tendon of the plantaris m. (45) glides freely 

 to insert on the plantar surface of the phalanges. Each head 

 may be separated into two or more divisions, and a strong 

 muscle slip of the lateral head, which arises under the peroneal 



Cranial Side 



5AP 



MED 



Fig, 22. — Cross section through middle of proximal third of right leg. ATA, 

 anterior tibial a.; B, biceps femoris m.; CF, crural fascia; CPN, common peroneal 

 n.; EDL, extensor digitorum longus (49); F, fibula; FDP, flexor digitorum longus 

 (46) and three peroneals fused; LG, lateral head of gastrocnemius m.; MG, 

 medial head of gastrocnemius; P, plantaris m.; PA, peroneus longus anterior 

 (50a); S, semimembranosus m.; SAP, saphenous artery, vein, and nerve; SH, 

 small head of lateral gastrocnemius m.; SSV, small saphenous vein; T, tibia; 

 TA, tibialis anterior m. 



nerve, is usually present. Method: Separate the two heads 

 from the plantaris muscle (45) and transect the medial head to 

 give access to the plantaris and soleus mm. The tendons of 

 these three muscles form the tendon of Achilles. 



44. Soleus m.: Proximolateral side of fibula and lateral 

 condyle of tibia; to os calcis. A small portion of this muscle is 

 visible proximad of and between the heads of the gastrocnemius, 



