THE POSTERIOR TIBIAL ARTERY 199 



THE ANTERIOR TIBIAL ARTERY 



This is much the larger of the two divisions of the popliteal artery. 

 From the termination of the latter this branch passes forwards through 

 the tibio-fibular arch and becomes placed on the anterior aspect of the 

 tibia. It then takes its course down the front of the bone, and between 

 it and the deep face of the flexor metatarsi muscle. At the front of the 

 hock it will be found to lie on the superficial face of the anterior common 

 ligament beneath the flexor metatarsi and extensor pedis muscles, and near 

 the line where these two muscles come into apposition with each other. 

 It then passes outwards under the tendon of the extensor pedis, and 

 terminates by dividing into two branches — namely, the large metatarsal 

 and perforating metatarsal arteries. 



During its course the anterior tibial artery gives oflF a large number or 

 collateral branches. These are distributed to the extensor pedis, the 

 flexor metatarsi, and the peroneus muscles, whilst others are articular and 

 supply the hock joint. 



THE POSTERIOR TIBIAL ARTERY 



This artery at its origin is deeply seated beneath the popliteus muscle, 

 and subsequently is found between the flexor perforans and flexor acces- 

 sorius. As already stated, it is a much smaller vessel than the other 

 terminal division of the popliteal artery. Running down the limb it 

 inclines towards the inner side, and becomes superficially placed by 

 emerging from beneath the flexor accessorius about an inch in front of 

 the posterior tibial nerve, which is placed anteriorly to the tendo- 

 Achilles. It follows the course of the tendon of the flexor accessorius 

 muscle towards the hock, and is placed behind the tendon. Passing 

 beneath the posterior root of the internal saphena vein nnd the cutaneous 



