

MUSCLES OF THE LEG. 453 



The Tibialis Anticus, 



Is situated superficially under the fascia of the leg, at the 

 outside of the spine of the tibia, and in front of the interosseous 

 ligament. It arises, fleshy, from the head of the tibia, from its 

 outer surface, spine, and from the interosseous ligament to 

 within three or four inches of the ankle. It also arises, by its 

 front surface, from the internal face of the fascia of the leg. 



A rounded long tendon is formed in front below, into which 

 the fleshy fibres run obliquely, and which, passing through a 

 distinct noose of the annular ligament in front of the malleolus 

 internus, crosses the astragalus and os naviculare, and is in- 

 serted on the inner side of the sole of the foot into the anterior 

 part of the base of the cuneiforme internum, and into tha adja- 

 cent part of the metatarsal bone of the great toe. 



A bursa surrounds the tendon where it passes beneath the 

 annular ligament; another also exists at its lower part. 



This muscle corresponds with the radial extensors of the 

 arm. 



It bends the foot, and presents the sole obliquely inwards. 



The Extensor Longus Digitorum Pedis, 



Is also superficially placed just under the fascia of the leg 

 and in front of the fibula, being in contact above with the tibi- 

 alis anticus, and 'below with the extensor proprius pollicis. It 

 arises, tendinous and fleshy, from the outer part of the head of 

 the tibia ; from the head of the fibula, and almost the whole 

 length of its anterior angle; also from the upper part of the 

 interosseous ligament and the internal face of the fascia of the 

 leg. 



Its fibres go obliquely downwards and forwards to the ten- 

 don which begins not far from its upper end, and descends 

 along its anterior margin. About the middle of the leg the ten- 

 don splits into four, which are confined by the annular liga- 

 ment of the ankle, and then diverging, each is inserted into the 

 base of its respective toe, the big excepted, and expanded over 

 its back part as far as the last phalanx. 



When these four tendons first reach the roots of the toes, 



