THE POSTERIOR TIBIAL ARTERY 



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nutrient canal of that bone, which it traverses obliquely from above downward. 

 This is the largest nutrient artery of bone in the body. 



The muscular branches of the posterior tibial are distributed to the Soleus and 

 deep muscles along the back of the leg. 



The communicating branch (ramus communicans), to join a similar branch 

 of the peroneal, runs transversely across the back of the tibia, about two inches 

 above its lower end, passing beneath the Flexor longus hallucis. 



The malleolar or internal malleolar (a. malleolaris posterior medialis) lies 

 upon the tibia, sends branches over the inner ankle, and anastomoses with the 

 inner malleolar branch of the anterior tibial. 



The internal calcaneal (rami calcanei mediales) are several large arteries 

 which arise from the posterior tibial just before its division; they are distributed 

 to the fat and integument behind the tendo Achillis and about the heel, and to the 

 muscles on the inner side of the sole, anastomosing with the peroneal and internal 

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



Communicating 



branch of 

 dorsalis pedis. 

 Its digital 

 branches. 



FIG. 487. The plantar arteries. .Superficial view. 



FIG. 488. The plantar arteries. Deep view. 



The internal plantar artery (a. plantar is medialis) (Figs. 487 and 488), much 

 smaller than the external, passes forward along the inner side of the foot. It is 

 at first situated above 1 the Abductor hallucis, and then between it and the Flexor 

 brevis digitorum, both of which it supplies. At the base of the first metatarsal 



bone, where it has become much diminished in size, it passes along the inner 

 border of the great toe, anastomosing with its digital branch. Small superficial 

 digital branches (ramus superficialis) accompany the digital branches of .the 

 medial plantar nerve and join the plantar digital arteries of the three inner spaces. 

 In addition, this vessel gives off numerous cutaneous branches. 



The external plantar artery (a. plantaris lateralis) (Figs. 487 and 488), much 

 larger than the internal, passes obliquely outward and forward to the base of the 



1 This refers to the erect position of the body. In the ordinary position for dissection the artery is deeper 

 thnn the muscle. 



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