704 THE VASCULAR SYSTEMS 



Relations. This vessel rests at first upon the Tibialis posticus, and then, for the greater 

 part of its course, in a fibrous canal between the origins of the Flexor longus hallucis and Tibialis 

 posticus, covered or surrounded by the fibres of the Flexor longus hallucis. It is covered, in the 

 upper part of its course, by the Soleus and deep transverse fascia; bclmv, by the Flexor longus 

 hallucis. 



PLAN OF THE RELATIONS OF THE PERONEAL ARTERY. 



hi front. 

 Tibialis posticus. 

 Flexor longus hallucis. 



Outer side. , x 



Inner side. 



Flexor'longus hallucis. V J Flexor lon g us hallucis. 



Behind. 

 Soleus. 



Deep transverse fascia. 

 Flexor longus hallucis. 



Peculiarities in Origin. The peroneal artery may arise three inches below the Popliteus, 

 or from the posterior tibial high up, or even from the popliteal. 



Its size is more frequently increased than diminished; and then it either reinforces the poste- 

 rior tibial by its junction with it, or altogether takes the place of the posterior tibial in the lower 

 part of the leg and foot, the latter vessel only existing as a short muscular branch. In those 

 rare cases where the peroneal artery is smaller than usual a branch from the posterior tibiul 

 supplies its place, and a branch from the anterior tibial compensates for the diminished anterior 

 peroneal artery. In one case the peroneal artery has been found entirely wanting. 



The anterior peroneal is sometimes enlarged, and takes the place of the dorsal artery of the 

 foot. 



Branches. The branches of the peroneal are: 



Muscular. Communicating. 



Nutrient. Posterior peroneal. 



Anterior peroneal. External calcaneal. 



Muscular Branches. The peroneal artery in its course gives off branches to the 

 Soleus, Tibialis posticus, Flexor longus hallucis, and Peronei muscles. 



The nutrient artery (a. nutrida fibulae) supplies the fibula. 



The anterior peroneal (ramus perforans) (Fig. 486) pierces the interosseous 

 membrane, about two inches above the outer malleolus. to reach the fore part of 

 the leg, and, passing down beneath the Peroneus tertius to the outer ankle, rami- 

 fies on the front and outer side of the tarsus, anastomosing with the external 

 malleolar and tarsal arteries. 



The communicating (ramus commun leans) is given off from the peroneal about 

 an inch from its lower end, and, passing inward, joins the communicating branch 

 of the posterior tibial. 



The posterior peroneal passes down .behind the outer ankle to the back of the 

 external malleolus, to terminate in branches which ramify on the outer surface 

 and back of the os calcis. 



The external calcaneal (ramus calcaneus lateralis) are the terminal branches of the 

 peroneal artery; they pass to the outer side of the heel, and communicate with the 

 external malleolar, and, on the back of the heel, with the internal calcaneal arteries. 



Cutaneous branches come from the posterior tibial and supply the skin of 

 the inner side and back of the leg. 



The nutrient artery of the tibia (a. nutrida tibiae) arises from the posterior 

 tibial near its origin, and, after supplying a few muscular branches, enters the 



