chap, xxii.] THE LEG. 451 



fibula can be distinctly made out, but the upper 

 half of the shaft of the bone is lost beneath the 

 mass of muscle on the outer side of the limb. The 

 lower half of the fibular shaft can be felt, and the 

 bone just above the malleolus becomes subcutaneous 

 in the interval between the peroneus tertius and the 

 two other peroneal tendons. Between the tibia and 

 fibula the outline of the tibialis anticus muscle can be 

 well defined when it is in action. To its outer side is 

 the less conspicuous and narrower eminence formed by 

 the extensor communis digitorum. In well developed 

 limbs the groove that separates these two muscles is 

 very distinct, and forms the best guide to the anterior 

 tibial artery. In the lower third of the leg these 

 muscles become tendinous, and between them the 

 extensor longus pollicis can be felt as it comes to the 

 surface. The long arid short peroneal muscles can be 

 defined, and their tendons followed behind the 

 malleolus. When in active contraction the interval 

 between the two muscles is often well marked. The 

 gastrocnemius muscle and the more superficial parts 

 of the soleus are brought well into view when the 

 body is raised upon the toes. The two heads of the 

 former muscle are then quite conspicuous, and it can 

 be seen that the inner head is the larger and descends 

 lower in the leg. 



The popliteal artery bifurcates on a level with the 

 lower part of the tubercle of the tibia. The course of 

 the posterior tibial vessel is represented by a line 

 drawn from the middle of the limb at the lower part 

 of the ham to a spot midway between the inner 

 malleolus and the prominence of the heel. The 

 artery becomes superficial in the lower fourth of the 

 leg, where it may be felt pulsating between the tendo 

 Achillis and the tibia. The peroneal artery arises 

 about three inches below the knee, follows the posterior 

 surface of the fibula, and ends behind the outer 



