FIBULA. 207 



extended into a considerable process, commonly named malleolus 

 internus ; the point of which is divided by a notch, and from 

 it ligaments are sent out to the foot. The externafVide of 

 this end of the tibia has a rough irregular cavity formed in it, 

 for receiving the lower end of the fibula. The posterior side 

 has two lateral grooves, and a small middle protuberance. In 

 the internal depression, the tendons of the musculus tibialis 

 posticis and flexor digitorum longus are lodged ; and in the 

 external, the tendon of the flexor longus pollicis plays. From 

 the middle protuberance, ligamentous sheaths go out, for tying 

 down these tendons. 



The Fibula 



Is the small bone, placed on the outside of the leg, opposite to 

 the external angle of the tibia ; the shape of it is irregular. 



The head of the fibula has a circular surface formed on its 

 inside, which, in a recent subject is covered with a cartilage ; 

 and it is so closely connected to the tibia by ligaments, as to 

 allow only a very small motion backwards and forwards. This 

 head is protuberant and rough on its outside, where a strong 

 round ligament and the musculus biceps are inserted, and, 

 below the back part of its internal side, a tubercle may be re- 

 marked, that gives rise to the strong tendinous part of the soleus 

 muscle. 



The body of this bone is a little crooked inwards and back- 

 wards : which figure is owing to the actions of the muscles. 

 The sharpest angle of the fibula is forwards ; on each side of 

 which the bone is considerably, but unequally, depressed by the 

 bellies of the several muscles that rise from or act upon it. The 

 external surface of the fibula is depressed obliquely from above 

 downwards and backwards, by the two peronaei. Its internal 

 surface is unequally divided into two narrow longitudinal 

 planes, by an oblique ridge extended from the upper part of 

 the anterior angle. To this ridge the ligament stretched between 

 the two bones of the leg is connected. The anterior of the 

 two planes is very narrow above, where the extensor longus 

 digitorum and extensor longus pollicis arise from it : but is 



