THE LIMBS OF THE HOESE 



135 



muscle, by dividing into two vessels of unequal size, the anterior and 

 posterior tibial arteries. 



The collateral branches of the popliteal artery are small, and dis- 

 tributed to the joint and the adjacent muscles. 



V. POPLITEA. — The popliteal vein lies medial to the artery of which 

 it is a satellite. 



Lig. ci'uciatum posteiius. 



M. popliteus. 



Lig. citiciatuni anterius. 



M. Hexor digitorum loiigus. 



M. tibialis posterior. 



Lig. collaterale 

 fibulare. 



I M, llexor halluois 

 lougiis. 



YiG. 91.— Posterior Aspect of the Tibia and Fibula, with Areas of Muscular and 

 Ligamentous Attachment. 



1 and 2 = Areas of attachment of ligamentous bands of the medial and lateral 

 menisci respectively. 



A. TIBIALIS posTEUioit.— The posterior tibial artery is the smaller 

 of the two vessels into which the popliteal divides. At first it lies 

 between the popliteus muscle and the tibia, and afterwards between 

 the flexor hallucis longus and the flexor digitorum longus. As far as 

 the middle of the tibia the artery is deep-seated, but, following the 

 posterior border of the tendon of the long flexor of the digit, it becomes 

 more superficial as the distal end of the tibia is approached. About 

 the level of the summit of the tuber calcanei the vessel ends by 

 dividing into the lateral and medial tarsal arteries. 



