546 APPLIED ANATOMY. 



SURFACE ANATOMY. 



At the upper end of the leg can be felt the two tuberosities of the tibia. The 

 lower edge of the tuberosities is on a line with the upper edge of the tubercle. 

 The head of the fibula is almost level with (a little above) the tubercle of the tibia 

 and is situated far posteriorly. Attached to the head of the fibula above is the 

 biceps tendon accompanied by the external popliteal (fibular) nerve and the long 

 external lateral ligament. -The tendo patellae is attached to the tibial tubercle. The 

 tibia is triangular in shape, with a sharp edge the crest or shin forward, thus form- 

 ing two surfaces, an internal and an external. The posterior surface is covered by 

 muscles and is inaccessible. The internal surface is subcutaneous and leads down to 

 the internal malleolus. The external surface has the extensor muscles between it 

 and the fibula. The fibula a short distance below its head becomes covered by the 



Tendo patellae 



External tuberosity of tibia L 



Head of fibula -- 



Tubercle of tibia r 



Swell of anterior tibial muscle 

 Intermuscular space 

 Swell of extensor longus digitorum - 

 Swell of peroneus longus and brevis j 



Crest of the tibia { 



FIG. 558. Surface anatomy of the leg. 



peronei muscles and only becomes subcutaneous in its lower anterior fourth. The 

 upper portion of the leg is largely muscular, but at its lower portion it is mainly 

 tendinous. By placing a finger over the muscles while the foot is moved one is 

 enabled to determine whether or not they are paralyzed (Fig. 558). 



MUSCLES OF THE LEG. 



The muscles of the leg are composed of four distinct groups of three each. They 

 are extensors, flexors, abductors, and muscles of the calf. 



The extensor group comprises the tibialis anterior, extensor longus digi- 

 torum, and extensor longus hallucis. 



The flexor group comprises the tibialis posterior, flexor longus digitorum, and 

 flexor longus hallucis. 



The abductor group comprises the peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, and 

 peroneus tertius. 



The calf muscles comprise the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris. 



