700 THE VASCULAR SYSTEMS 



The posterior recurrent tibial (a. recurrens tibialis posterior) is not a constant 

 branch, and is given off from the anterior tibial before that vessel passes through 

 the interosseous space. It ascends beneath the Popliteus muscle, which it supplies, 

 and anastomoses with the lower articular branches of the popliteal artery, giving 

 an offshoot to the superior tibiofibular joint. 



The superior fibular is sometimes given off from the anterior tibial, sometimes 

 from the posterior tibial. It passes outward, around the neck of the fibula, through 

 the Soleus, which it supplies, and ends in the substance of the Peroneus longus. 



The anterior recurrent tibial (a. recurrens tibialis anterior) arises from the 

 anterior tibial as soon as that vessel has passed through the interosseous space: 

 it ascends in the Tibialis anticus muscle, and ramifies on the front and sides 

 of the knee-joint, anastomosing with the articular branches of the popliteal, with 

 the anastomotica magna, and the external articular branches of the popliteal 

 assisting in the formation of the circumpatellar plexus. 



The muscular branches are numerous; they are distributed to the muscles 

 which lie on each side of the vessel, some cutaneous branches piercing the deep 

 fascia to supply the integument, others passing through the interosseous mem- 

 brane, and anastomosing with branches of the posterior tibial and peroneal arteries. 



The internal malleolar branch (a. malleolaris anterior medialis) arises about two 

 inches above the articulation, and passes beneath the tendons of the Extensor 

 proprius hallucis and Tibialis anticus to the inner ankle, upon which it ramifies, 

 anastomosing with branches of the posterior tibial and internal plantar arteries 

 and with the internal calcanean from the posterior tibial. 



The external malleolar branch (a. malleolaris anterior lateralis) passes beneath 

 the tendons of the Extensor longus digitorum and Peroneus tertius, and supplies 

 the outer ankle, anastomosing with the anterior peroneal artery and with ascending 

 branches from the tarsal branch of the dorsalis pedis. 



The Dorsalis Pedis Artery (A. Dorsalis Pedis) (Figs. 485, 486). 



The dorsalis pedis, the continuation of the anterior tibial, passes forward from the 

 ankle along the tibial side of the foot to the back part of the first intermetatarsal 

 space, where it divides into two branches, the dorsalis hallucis and communicating. 



Relations. This vessel, in its course forward, rests upon the astragalus, navicular, and 

 middle cuneiform bones and the ligaments connecting them, being covered by the integument and 

 fascia, anterior annular ligament, and crossed near its termination by the innermost tendon of 

 the Extensor brevis digitorum. On its tibial side is the tendon of the Extensor proprius hallucis: 

 on its fibular side, the innermost tendon of the Extensor longus digitorum, and the termination of 

 the anterior tibial nerve. The nerve is, however, quite as often upon the tibial side of the artery. 

 The artery is accompanied by two veins. 



PLAN OF THE RELATIONS OF THE DORSALIS PEDIS ARTERY. 



In front. 



Integument and fascia. 

 Anterior annular ligament. 

 Innermost tendon of Extensor brevis digitorum. 



,,, ., . 7 i Fibular side. 



1 ibial side. 



r-, , u 11 I Pe(iis - I Extensor longus digitorum 



Extensor proprius hallucis. V 



Behind. 

 Astragalus. 

 Navicular. 

 Middle cuneiform. 

 And their ligaments. 



