482 MYOLOGY 



first phalanx: this aponeurosis, at the articulation of the first with the second 

 phalanx, divides into three slips an intermediate, which is inserted into the base 

 of the second phalanx; and two collateral slips, which, after uniting on the dorsal 

 surface of the second phalanx, are continued onward, to be inserted into the base 

 of the third phalanx. 



Variations. This muscle varies considerably in the modes of origin and the arrangement of its 

 various tendons. The tendons to the second and fifth toes may be found doubled, or extra slips! 

 are given off from one or more tendons to their corresponding metatarsal bones, or to the short 

 extensor, or to one of the interosseous muscles. A slip to the great toe from the innermost tendon 

 has been found. 



The Peronseus tertius is a part of the Extensor digitorum longus, and might 

 be described as its fifth tendon. The fibers belonging to this tendon arise from 

 the lower third or more of the anterior surface of the fibula; from the lower part 

 of the interosseous membrane; and from an intermuscular septum between it 

 and the Peronseus brevis. The tendon, after passing under the transverse and 

 cruciate crural ligaments in the same canal as the Extensor digitorum longus, 

 is inserted into the dorsal surface of the base of the metatarsal bone of the little 

 toe. This muscle is sometimes wanting. 



Nerves. These muscles are supplied by the fourth and fifth lumbar and first sacral nerves 

 through the deep peroneal nerve. 



Actions. The Tibialis anterior and Peronams tertius are the direct flexors of the foot at the 

 ankle-joint; the former muscle, when acting in conjunction with the Tibialis posterior, raises the 

 medial border of the foot, i. e., inverts the foot; and the latter, acting with the Peronsei brevis 

 and longus, raises the lateral border of the foot, i. e., everts the foot. The Extensor digitorum 

 longus and Extensor hallucis longus extend the phalanges of the toes, and, continuing their 

 action, flex the foot upon the leg. Taking their fixed points from below, in the erect posture, 

 all these muscles serve to fix the bones of the leg in the perpendicular position, and give increased 

 strength to the ankle-joint. 



2. The Posterior Crural Muscles. 



The muscles of the back of the leg are subdivided into two groups superficial 

 and deep. Those of the superficial group constitute a pdwerful muscular mass, 

 forming the calf of the leg. Their large size is one of the most characteristic 

 features of the muscular apparatus in man, and bears a direct relation to his erect 

 attitude and his mode of progression. 



The Superficial Group (Fig. 438). 

 Gastrocnemius. Soleus. Plantaris. 



The Gastrocnemius is the most superficial muscle, and forms the greater part 

 of the calf. It arises by two heads, which are connected to the condyles of the 

 femur by strong, flat tendons. The medial and larger head takes its origin from a 

 depression at the upper and back part of the medial condyle and from the adjacent 

 part of the femur. The lateral head arises from an impression on the side of the 

 lateral condyle and from the posterior surface of the femur immediately above 

 the lateral part of the condyle. Both heads, also, arise from the subjacent part 

 of the capsule of the knee. Each tendon spreads out into an aponeurosis, which 

 covers the posterior surface of that portion of the muscle to which it belongs. 

 From the anterior surfaces of these tendinous expansions, muscular fibers are 

 given off; those of the medial head being thicker and extending lower than those 

 of the lateral. The fibers unite at an angle in the middle line of the muscle in a 

 tendinous raphe, which expands into a broad aponeurosis on the anterior surface 

 of the muscle, and into this the remaining fibers are inserted. The aponeurosis, 

 gradually contracting, unites with the tendon of the Soleus, and forms with it 

 the tendo calcaneus. 



