THE VASCULAR SYSTEM. H r 



the abdominal wall removed, and the viscera pushed laterad 

 to demonstrate the origin of the artery of this limb. As 

 in the forelimb, the main artery in different portions of the 

 leg takes the name of the corresponding region. 



The external iliac is the largest artery arising from the 

 aorta in the lumbar region. It gives off but one important 

 branch, the prof undo,, which, extending caudad, soon gives 

 off a large epigastric artery to the abdominal wall, then 

 smaller branches to the external genital organs, and numer- 

 ous branches to the muscles on the caudal aspect of the 

 femur. 



The femoral artery, which is. a continuation of the ex- 

 ternal iliac, extends along the medial aspect of the femur. 

 In the proximal half of its course it is quite superficial, but 

 the distal portion is covered by the gracilis, sartorius, and 

 semimembranosus muscles. It furnishes four important 

 branches : the anterior femoral, supplying mainly the qua- 

 driceps extensor muscle; the superior posterior femoral, 

 supplying the adductor and hamstring muscles; the saphe- 

 nous, accompanying the saphenous nerve and vein to the 

 foot, where it branches and anastomoses with the plantar 

 artery ; and the posterior inferior femoral, supplying mainly 

 the gastrocnemius group of muscles (Fig. 52). 



The popliteal artery is the continuation of the femoral 

 artery in the popliteal region on the caudal aspect of the 

 knee-joint. One or two articular branches are given off 

 here to the joint, in addition to the posterior tibial, which 

 supplies the deep muscles of the crus. 



The anterior tibial artery is the continuation of the pop- 

 liteal on the lateral cranial aspect of the tibia, adjacent to 

 the bone. By separating the tibialis anticus and extensor 

 longus digitorum muscles, this artery is well displayed. 

 Near the knee-joint a small branch, the peroneal, is given 

 off, and passes to the dorsal aspect of the foot, where it 



