THE FOOT. 



567 



the bases of the second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsal bones. It makes a canal 

 for the peroneus longus tendon, which runs beneath it. 



The short plantar or short calcaneocuboid ligament (ligamentum calcaneo- 

 cuboideum plantare) lies beneath the long ligament and is separated from it by a 

 small amount of fatty tissue. It runs obliquely forward and inward from the under 

 surface of the calcaneum to the posterior portion of the cuboid. 



The Plantar Fascia (aponeurosis plantaris). The middle portion of the plantar 

 fascia runs anteriorly from the inner tubercle of the os calcis to be attached to the 

 sides of the metatarsophalangeal articulations and bases of the proximal phalanges. 



Outer portion of plantar fascia 



Plantar arteries and nerves 



Digital arteries and nerves 



Middle portion of plantar fascia 



Inner portion of plantar fascia 



Digital arteries and nerves 



FIG. 586. The plantar fascia. 



It is a thick, strong triangular band. The outer portion is a strong band running 

 from the external tubercle to the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal bone. The inner 

 portion is thin and weak (Fig. 586). 



These three ligamentous structures, the calcaneoscaphoid ligament, plantar liga- 

 ments, and plantar fascia are all large, strong, fibrous structures. They join the 

 anterior and posterior pillars of the arches like the string of a bow and prevent them 

 from separating. When a person is standing at rest these are the main ligaments 

 which bear the weight of the body. The static weight is borne by the ligaments but 

 the dynamic weight (movements) is borne by the muscles. 



