POSTERIOR PART OF LOWER EXTREMITY. 



385 



acting together, assist the tibialis posticus in extending the ankle. They are 

 antagonized by the tibialis anticus and peroneus tertius. 



THE SOLE OF THE FOOT. (Fig. 272.) 



The importance of a knowledge of this region can not be overestimated. 

 The large number of important structures in a comparatively small area, com- 

 bined with thick skin, dense plantar fascia, and delicate lumbrical muscles, all taken 



Origin of abductor minimi digiti 



Part of abductor minimi digiti 



Plexor brevis minimi digiti 



Abductor minimi digiti 

 Lumbricales 



Tendon of flexor brevis 



digitorum 



Flexor brevis digitorum 



Abductor hallucis 



Accessorius 



Flexor longus digitorum 



Flexor lougus hallucis 

 Flexor brevia hallucis 



Adductor hallucis 

 Abductor hallucis 



Tendon of flexor brevif- digitorum 



FIG. 270. SECOND LAYER OF THE MUSCLES OF THE SOLE. 



tog-ether make dissection of this area somewhat difficult. A dissection of the 



o 



four layers of muscles alone would be an easy task, but here, as in larger areas 

 of the body, nerves and vessels must be saved. The only general rule I can give 

 you is this : Follow painstakingly as a guide the dissections given in the text, 

 and learn from the figures what you expect to find. Having done this, follow 

 each nerve and vessel out carefully to its distribution. No number of written 

 pages will make an awkward man improve his touch ; hence it is impossible to 



