POSTERIOR TIBIAL ARTERY. 



415 



wards, between the biceps rotator and adductor magnus, supplying 

 them, and gaining the subcutaneous or posterior asj^ect of the 

 haunch ; it terminates in ascending and descending branches, which 

 inosculate Avith the profunda, ischiatic, and posterior tibial, supply- 

 ing also the skin at the back of the haunch. The articular 

 branches assist in supplying the stifle joint ; the muscular go 

 to the gastrocnemius ; one slender 

 twig descends in front of the 

 flexor perforatus, along with the 

 popliteal nerve, and anastomoses 

 with a recurrent branch of the 

 posterior tibial artery near the 

 tendo-Achillis. 



The Posterior tibial artery lies 

 beneath the pojoliteus, flexor perfor- 

 ans, and accessorius muscles, becom- 

 ing more superficial, and covered by 

 the tibial fascia, as it travels down 

 the side of the leg to the crest of 

 the OS calcis, where it terminates 

 in the tarsal arch, whence spring 

 usually two recurrent branches, 

 which inosculate with small branches 

 of the popliteal and the saphenic 

 arteries. Small branches are given 

 off by it to supply the muscles, the 

 tarsal joint, and the nutrient artery 

 of the tibia. 



From the S shaped arch formed 

 at the hock by the above anasto- 

 moses, two small branches arise, 

 the internal and external plantar 

 arteries. Each clings to its relative 

 side of the deep flexor tendon, and 

 at the level of the upper end of the 

 suspensory ligament, both anasto- 

 mose with the perforating pedal 



artery, forming a second or inferior anastomotic arch. From this 

 arch are given off two small vessels which ramify over the flexor 

 tendons, and an external and internal interosseous plantar 

 artery ; the latter is the larger, and appears to be the continua- 



FlG. 160. 

 Arteries of the right posterior limb — 

 external view. 1, Popliteal ; 2 2, Poste- 

 rior tibial ; 3 3, Anterior tibial ; a, Per- 

 oneal ; h, Muscular branches ; 4, Perfor- 

 ating pedal ; 5, Great metatarsal. 



