358 DORSALIS PKDIS ARTERY. 



and peroneus tertius, inosculates with the anterior peroneal artery 

 and with the branches of the dorsalis pedis ; the interned, beneath the 

 tendons of the extensor proprius pollicis and tibialis anticus, inoscu- 

 lates with branches of the posterior tibial and internal plantar artery. 

 They supply branches to the ankle-joint. 



The DORSALIS PEDIS ARTERY is continued forward along the tibial 

 side of the dorsum of the foot, from the ankle to the base of the meta- 

 tarsal bone of the great toe, where it divides into two branches, the 

 dorsalis hallucis and communicating. 



Relations. The dorsalis pedis is situated along the outer border of 

 the tendon of the extensor proprius pollicis ; on its fibular side is the 

 innermost tendon of the extensor longus digitorum, and near its 

 termination it is crossed by the inner tendon of the extensor brevis 

 digitorum. It is accompanied by vena? comites, and has the continua- 

 tion of the anterior tibial nerve to its outer side. 



Plan of the relations of the Dorsalis Pedis Artery. 



In Front. 

 Integument, 

 Deep fascia, 



Inner tendon of the extensor 

 brevis digitorum. 



Inner Side. I 1 Outer Side. 



Tendon of the ex- Dorsalis Pedis Tendon of the extensor 

 tensor proprius Artery. longus digitorum, 

 pollicis. Border of the extensor 

 brevis digitorum muscle. 



Behind. 



Bones of the tarsus, with 

 their ligaments. 



Branches. The branches of this artery are the 



Tarsea, 



Metatarsea, interosseae, 



Dorsalis hallucis, collateral digital, 



Communicating. 



The Tarsea arches transversely across the tarsus, beneath the ex- 

 tensor brevis digitorum muscle, and supplies the articulations of the 

 tarsal bones and the outer side of the foot ; it anastomoses with the 

 external malleolar, the peroneal arteries, and the external plantar. 



The Metatarsea forms an arch across the base of the metatarsal 

 bones, and supplies the outer side of the foot, anastomosing with the 

 tarsea and with the external plantar artery. The metatarsea gives off 

 three branches, the interosseae^ which pass forward upon the dorsal 

 interossei muscles, and divide into two collateral branches for adjoining 

 toes. At their commencement these interosseous branches receive the 

 posterior perforating arteries from the plantar arch, and opposite the 

 heads of the metatarsal bones they are joined by the anterior perforat- 

 ing branches from the digital arteries. 



