MUSCLES OF THE LEG. *763 



the head of the fibula and upper three-fourths of this bone ; 

 also from the interosseous ligament, intermuscular septa, 

 and fascia of the leg. Its fibres descend obliquely inward, 

 and about the middle of the leg it divides into four ten- 

 dons, which pass through a common ring under the annular 

 ligament, and then diverge, expanding over the back of 

 all the toes, except the great toe, to be attached to the 

 last phalanx of each. A bursa is connected with these 

 tendons at the annular ligament. Function. To extend 

 the toes and flex the foot. 



The extensor proprius pollicis (Fig. 251) arises tendinous 

 and fleshy from the middle third of the fibula, and from the 

 interosseous ligament nearly as low as the ankle. Its fibres 

 descend obliquely forward to a tendon which passes under 

 the annular ligament to be inserted into the base of the 

 first and second phalanx of the great toe. A bursa is seen 

 with the tendon at the annular ligament. Function. To 

 extend the great toe. 



The peroneus longus (Fig. 251) arises around the head of 

 the fibula, tendinous and fleshy, from the two upper thirds 

 of the external angle of the fibula, and from the fascia and 

 intermuscular septa. Its fibres pass obliquely outward to 

 a flat tendon, which goes behind the external malleolus 

 through a ligamentous noose provided with a bursa, and 

 thence proceeds to the outer side of the os calcis, and through 

 a groove in the cuboides where it meets with another bursa, 

 and is now traced deep in the sole of the foot next to the 

 tarsal bones, inward and forward, to be inserted into the 

 internal cuneiform and base of the metatarsal bone of the 

 great toe. Function. To extend the foot and turn it ob- 

 liquely outward. 



The peroneus brevis (Fig. 251) arises fleshy and tendinous 

 from the outer surface of the lower two-thirds of the fibula. 

 It ends in a tendon which passes behind the external mal- 

 leolus in the same groove with, and concealed by the pero- 

 neus longus, and goes to be inserted into the os cuboides 

 and base of the metatarsal bone of the little toe. Func- 

 tion. The same as the last. 



