6o2 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY 



(i) the number of compartments in each division ; (a) the tendons passing 

 beneath each, and their relative position ; and (3) the number of synovial 

 sheaths. 



The anterior tibial muscles are next to be dissected to their inser- 

 tions in the following order, namely, the tibialis anticus, extensor longus 

 digitorum, peroneus tertius, and extensor proprius hallucis. In connection 

 with the expansions formed by the long extensor tendons on the dorsal 

 aspects of the metatarso-phalangeal joints, the tendons of insertion of 

 the lumbricales and interossei are to be carefully preserved. The anterior 

 tibial nerve will be found coming into contact with the outer side of the anterior 

 tibial artery about the junction of the upper fourth and lower three-fourths 

 of the leg, and it should be followed from this point as far as the front of the 

 ankle-joint. The anterior tibial artery is now to be shown lying deeply upon 

 the interosseous membrane over about the upper two-thirds, but upon the 

 anterior surface of the tibia in the lower fourth. In dissecting the upper part 

 of the artery, the anterior tibial lymphatic gland should be looked for, and 

 the venae comites accompanying the artery should be noted. The following 

 branches of the artery should be shown, namely, anterior tibial recurrent, 

 muscular, internal malleolar, and external malleolar. In dissecting the 

 anterior tibial recurrent artery, the recurrent articular branch of the external 

 popliteal nerve should be looked for. The terminal part of the anterior 

 peroneal artery should be exposed as it appears through the inferior hiatus in 

 the interosseous membrane, and it should be followed downwards under cover 

 of the peroneus tertius and in front of the inferior tibio-fibular articulation, 

 to take part in the external malleolar anastomosis. 



The dissector should now turn his attention to the dorsum of the foot. 

 The deep fascia should be examined. The extensor brevis digitorum is to be 

 dissected, and the insertion of its innermost tendon and its relation to the 

 arteria dorsalis pedis are to be noted. The arteria dorsalis pedis and its venae 

 comites are to be dissected, and the following branches of the artery are to 

 be followed out, namely, internal tarsal, external tarsal, metatarsal, and 

 arteria dorsaUs hallucis. The arch formed by the metatarsal branch is to be 

 noted, and three dorsal interosseous arteries are to be dissected forwards from 

 it. The dorsaUs pedis nerve (the continuation of the anterior tibial nerve) is 

 next to be dissected as far as the cleft between the great toe and second, 

 where it will be found to divide into two collateral dorsal digital branches for 

 the supply of the contiguous sides of these two toes. The offset which it 

 receives from the branch of the musculo-cutaneous nerve to the inner side of 

 the great toe is to be shown, and the external branch of the nerve is to be 

 followed beneath the extensor brevis digitorum. In this situation its gangli- 

 form enlargement is to be looked for, and the offsets arising therefrom may 

 be followed out. 



The four dorsal interosseous muscles should now be dissected. In connec- 

 tion with the first dorsal interosseous the plantar or perforating branch of 

 the arteria dorsalis pedis is to be noted, and in connection with the second, 

 third, and fourth, the posterior and anterior perforating arteries should be 

 looked for. 



The dissector should now turn his attention to the external aspect of the 

 leg, where the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis are to be dissected. 

 The latter muscle should be dissected throughout its entire course, but the 

 former should only be followed meanwhile as far as the groove on the outer 

 border of the cuboid bone. In dissecting these muscles, the fibro-osseous 

 tunnel in which they lie is to be noted. The musculo-cutaneous and anterior 

 tibial nerves are now to be traced upwards to their origin from the external 

 popliteal at the level of the neck of the fibula. In doing so, in the case of the 

 musculo-cutaneous nerve, both peroneal muscles are to be cut in so far as may 

 be necessary, and in the case of the anterior tibial nerve the extensor longus 

 digitorum and peroneus longus are to be cut. The mode of ending of the 

 external popliteal nerve will now be made manifest, its terminal branches 

 being the anterior tibial, musculo-cutaneous, and recurrent articular. 



Back of the Leg. — A transverse incision having been made over the heel, the 



