328 PRACTICAL ANATOMY. 



receives a communicating branch, called the communi- 

 cans peronei, from the external popliteal. The posterior 

 tibial, the continuation of the internal popliteal, descends 

 upon the deep muscles of the leg to the inner malleolus, 

 where it divides into the internal and external plantar. 

 It sends branches to the muscles of the leg. The inter- 

 nal plantar is between the first and second layers of the 

 muscles of the foot, and is distributed to the four inner 



FIG. 141. DIG i TAT, NERVES AND THEIR TRUNK CONNECTIONS. 



A, internal plantar: B external plantar; C, deep branch of external plantar; D, first 

 digital ; E, second digital ; F. third digital ; G, fourth digital ; H, fifth digital ; I, external 

 digital: 1, branches to tir.-<t toe: 2. branches to second toe; 3, branches to third toe; 4, 

 branches to fourth toe ; 5, branches to fifth toe. 



toes. The external plantar, the smaller, is distributed to 

 the little toe and adjoining side of the fourth toe. 



The external popliteal runs along the outer part of 

 the popliteal space behind the tendon of the biceps, winds 

 around below the head of the fibula, and descends along 

 the anterior surface of the interosseous membrane as the 

 anterior tibial. It sends off a cutaneous branch to com- 

 municate with the short saphenous, called the communi- 

 cans poplitei, or peroneal. The anterior tibial sends off 



