320 DORSAL ARTEKIES OF THE FOOT. 



anticus, inosculates with branches of the posterior tibial and of the 

 internal plantar artery. They supply branches to the ankle-joint. 



The DORSALIS PEDIS ARTERY is continued forwards along the 

 tibial side of the dorsum of the foot, from the ankle to the base of 

 the rnetatarsal bone of the great toe, where it divides into two 

 branches, the dorsalis hallucis and communicating. 



Relations. The dorsalis pedis is situated along the outer border 

 of the tendon of the extensor proprius pollicis ; on its fibular side is 

 the innermost tendon of the extensor longus digitorum, and near .to 

 its termination it is crossed by the inner tendon of the extensor brevis 

 digitorum. It is accompanied by vena? comites, and has the con- 

 tinuation of the anterior tibial nerve to its outer side. 



Plan of the relations of the Dorsalis Pedis Artery. 



In Front. 



Integument, 

 Deep fascia, 



Inner tendon of the extensor 

 brevis digitorum. 



Inner Side. 

 Tendon of the ex- 

 tensor proprius 

 pollicis. 



Dorsalis Pedis 

 Artery. 



Outer Side. 

 Tendon of the extensor 



longus digitorum, 

 Border of the extensor 



hrevis digitorum muscle. 



Behind. 



Bones of the tarsus, with 

 their ligaments. 



Branches. The branches of this artery are the 



Tarsea, 



Metatarsea, interosseas, 



Dorsalis hallucis, collateral digital, 



Communicating. 



The Tarsea arches transversely across the tarsus, beneath the 

 extensor brevis digitorum muscle, and supplies the articulations of 

 the tarsal bones and the outer side of the foot; it anastomoses with 

 the external malleolar, the peroneal arteries, and with the external 

 plantar. 



The Metatarsea forms an arch across the base of the metatarsal 

 bones, and supplies the outer side of the foot, anastomosing with the 

 tarsea and with the external plantar artery. The metatarsea gives 

 off three branches, the interossece, which pass forwards upon the 

 dorsal 1 interossei muscles, and divide into two collateral branches 

 for the adjoining toes. At their commencement these interosseous 

 branches receive the posterior perforating arteries from the plantar 

 arch, and opposite the heads of the metatarsal bones they are joined 

 by the anterior perforating branches from the digital arteries. 



