THE LEG. 267 



longus is attached ; the upper fibres are pierced by the 

 external popliteal nerve, which at this point divides into 

 anterior tibial and musculo-cutaneous; the latter perfo- 

 rating the fascia about the middle third of the leg. 

 Arising from the middle third of the fibula the peroneus 

 brevis is inclosed in the same compartment. 



The Anterior Tibial Artery. The course of this vessel 

 is indicated by a line drawn from the inner side of the 

 head of the fibula to midway between the malleoli. It 

 enters the region at a point below the popliteus muscle, 

 and passes between the upper portion of the two heads 

 of origin of the tibialis posticus, and comes off from the 

 popliteal almost at a right angle. Its relations are, an- 

 teriorly, integument and fasciae, tibialis anticus (above), 

 extensor longus digitorum and extensor proprius pollicis, 

 and the anterior tibial nerve ; internally, tibialis anticus, 

 extensor proprius pollicis (which crosses it at the instep) ; 

 externally, the anterior tibial nerve, extensor longus dig- 

 itorum, and extensor proprius pollicis ; posteriorly, the 

 interosseous membrane, the tibia, and anterior ligament 

 of ankle-joint. 



Ligature of this vessel is rarely required, unless it be 

 for a wound, which would be enlarged, and the bleeding 

 point sought for. To tie it, an incision should be made 

 in the upper third, in the interspace between the tibialis 

 anticus and the extensor communis digitorum ; the inter- 

 muscular septum between them looked for, the muscular 

 fibres detached from it, and pulled on one side, when the 

 vessel, surrounded by venae comites, and having its nerve 

 to the outer side, will be seen lying on the interosseous 

 membrane. 



In the lower third, an incision should be made along 

 the outer border of the tibialis anticus tendon, when the 



