CUTANEOUS NERVES OF FOOT. 591 



The external or tarsal branch of the anterior tibial passes outwards across the 

 tarsus, beneath the Extensor brevis digitorum, and, having become ganglionic, 

 like the posterior interosseous nerve at the wrist, supplies the Extensor brevis 

 digitorum and the articulations of the tarsus and metatarsus. 



The internal branch, the continuation of the nerve, accompanies the dorsalis 

 pedis artery along the inner side of the dorsum of the foot, and, at the first inter- 

 osseous space, divides into two branches, which supply the adjacent sides of the 

 great and second toes, communicating with the internal division of the musculo- 

 cutaneous nerve. 



The Musculo-cutaneous branch supplies the muscles on the fibular side of the 

 leg, and the integument of the dorsum of the foot. It passes forwards between 

 the Peronei muscles and the Extensor longus digitorum, pierces the deep fascia 

 at the lower third of the leg, on its front and outer side, and divides into two 

 branches. This nerve, in its course between the muscles, gives off muscular 

 branches to the Peroneus longus and Peroneus brevis, and cutaneous filaments to 

 the integument of the lower part of the leg. 



The internal branch of the musculo-cutaneous nerve passes in front of the 

 ankle-joint, and along the dorsum of the foot ; it supplies the inner side of the 

 great toe, and the adjoining sides of the second and third toes. It also supplies 

 the integument of the inner ankle and inner side of the foot, communicating with 

 the internal saphenous nerve, and joins with the anterior tibial nerve, between 

 the great and second toes. 



The external branch, the larger, passes along the outer side of the dorsum of 

 the foot, to be distributed to the adjoining sides of the third, fourth, and fifth 

 toes. It also supplies the integument of the outer ankle and outer side of the 

 foot, communicating with the short saphenous nerve. The distribution of these 

 nerves will be found to vary ; together, they supply all the toes excepting the 

 outer side of the little toe, and the adjoining sides of the great and second toes. 



