PERONEAL ARTERY. 361 



The Peroneal artery is given off from the posterior tibial at about 

 two inches below the lower border of the popliteus muscle; it is 

 nearly as large as the anterior tibial artery, and passes obliquely out- 

 wards to the fibula. It then runs downwards along the inner border 

 of the fibula to its lower third, where it divides into the anterior and 

 posterior peroneal artery. 



Relations. The peroneal artery rests upon the* tibialis posticus 

 muscle, and is covered in by the soleus, the intermuscular fascia, and 

 the flexor longus pollicis, having the fibula to its outer side. 



Plan of the relations of the Peroneal Artery. 

 In Front. 



Soleus, 



Intermuscular fascia, 

 Flexor longus pollicis. 



Outer Side. 

 Fibula. 



Behind. 

 Tibialis posticus. 



Branches. The branches of the peroneal artery are muscular to the 

 neighbouring muscles, particularly to the soleus, and the two terminal 

 branches anterior and posterior peroneal. 



The Anterior peroneal pierces the interosseous membrane at the 

 lower third of the leg, and is distributed on the front of the outer 

 malleolus, anastomosing with the external malleolar and tarsal artery. 

 This branch is very variable in size. 



The Posterior peroneal continues onwards along the posterior aspect 

 of the outer malleolus to the side of the os calcis, to which and to the 

 muscles arising from it, it distributes external calcanean branches. 

 It anastomoses with the anterior peroneal, tarsal, external plantar, 

 and posterior tibial artery. 



The Nutritious artery of the tibia arises from the trunk of the 

 tibial, frequently above the origin of the peroneal, and proceeds to the 

 nutritious canal which it traverses obliquely from below upwards. 



The Muscular branches of the posterior tibial artery are distributed 

 to the soleus and to the deep muscles on the posterior aspect of the 

 leg. One of these branches is deserving of notice, a recurrent branch^ 

 which arises from the posterior tibial above the origin of the peroneal 



their origin. The two inferior are in relation with the popliteus muscle. 

 10. The anterior tibial artery passing through the angular interspace between 

 the two heads of the tibialis posticus muscle. 11. The posterior tibial artery. 

 12. The relative position of the tendons and artery at the inner ankle from 

 within outwards, previously to their passing beneath the internal annular liga- 

 ment. 13. The peroneal artery, dividing into two branches ; the anterior pe- 

 roneal is seen piercing the interosseous membrane. 14. The posterior peroneal. 



