328 



ANTERIOR TIBIAL ARTERY. 



Fig. 159.* ternal beneath the internal lateral ligament. They 



supply the knee joint and the heads of the tibia and 

 fibula. 



The Sural arteries (sura, the calf) are two large 

 muscular branches, which are distributed to the two 

 heads of the gastrocnemius muscle. 



ANTERIOR TIBIAL ARTERY. 



The anterior tibial artery passes forwards between 

 the two heads of the tibialis posticus muscle, and 

 through the opening in the upper part of the inter- 

 osseous membrane, to the anterior tibial region. It 

 then runs down the anterior aspect of the leg to the 

 ankle joint, where it becomes the dorsalis pedis. 



Relations. In its course downwards it rests upon 

 the interosseous membrane (to which it is connected 

 by a little tendinous arch which is thrown across it), 

 the lower part of the tibia, and the anterior ligament 

 of the joint. In the upper third of its course it is 

 situated between the tibialis anticus and extensor 

 longus digitorum, lower down between the tibialis 

 anticus and extensor proprius pollicis ; and just be- 

 fore it reaches the ankle it is crossed by the tendon 

 of the extensor proprius pollicis, and becomes placed 

 between that tendon and the tendons of the extensor 

 longus digitorum. Its immediate relations are the 

 venae comites and the anterior tibial nerve, which 

 latter lies at first to its outer side, and at about the 

 middle of the leg becomes placed superficially to 

 the artery. 



Plan of the Relations of the Anterior Tibial Artery. 



Front. 

 Deep fascia, 

 Tibialis anticns, 

 Extensor longus digitorum, 

 Extensor proprius pollicis, 

 Anterior tibial nerve. 



Inner Side. 

 Tibialis anticus, 

 Tendon of the ex- 

 tensor proprius 

 pollicis. 



Outer Side. 



Anterior tibial nerve, 

 Extensor longus digitorum, 

 Extensor proprius pollicii-i, 

 Tendons of the extensor 

 longus digitorum. 



Behind. 



Interosseous membrane, 

 Tibia (lower fourth), 

 Ankle joint. 



* The anterior aspect of the leg and foot, showing the anterior tibial and dorsatts 

 yed is arteries, with their branches. 1. The tendon of insertion of the quadriceps ex 

 e.isor muscle. 2. The insertion of the ligamentum patellae into the lower border of the 

 ,-atella. 3. The tibia. 4. The extensor proprius pollicis muscle. 5. The extensor lon- 

 Ijus digitorum. G. The peronei muscles. 7. The inner belly of the gastrocnemius and 



