PERONEAL 



533 



The muscular branches of the posterior tibial are distributed to the Soleus and 

 \ r eep muscles along the back of the leg. 



The communicating branch to the peroneal runs transversely across the back 

 of the tibia, about two inches above its lower end, passing beneath the Flexor 

 Longus Pollicis. 



The internal calcanean consist of several large branches, which arise from the 

 posterior tibial just before its division; they are distributed to the fat and 

 integument behind the tendo Achillis and about the heel, and to the muscles 

 on the inner side of the sole, anastomosing with the peroneal and internal 

 malleolar arteries. 



The Internal Plantar Artery (Figs. 301, 302), much smaller than the external, 

 passes forwards along the inner side of the foot. It is at first situated above 

 the Abductor Pollicis, and then between it and the Flexor Brevis Digitorum, 

 both of which it supplies. At the base of the first metatarsal bone, where it 

 has become much diminished in size, it passes along the inner border of the 

 great toe, inosculating with its digital branches. 



Fig. 301. The Plantar Arteries. 

 Superficial View. 



Fig. 302. The Plantar Arteries. 

 Deep View. 



The External Plantar Artery, much larger than the internal, passes obliquely 

 outwards and forwards to the base of the fifth metatarsal bone. It then turns 

 obliquely inwards to the interval between the bases of the first and second 

 metatarsal bones, where it anastomoses with the communicating branch from 

 the dorsalis pedis artery, thus completing the plantar arch. As this artery 

 passes outwards, it is at first placed between the os calcis and Abductor Pollicis, 

 and then between the Flexor Brevis Digitorum and Flexor Accesso'rius; and 

 as it passes forwards to the base of the little toe, it lies more superficially 

 between the Flexor Brevis Digitorum and Abductor Minimi Digiti, covered by 

 the deep fascia and integument. The remaining portion of the vessel is deeply 

 situated : it extends from the base of the metatarsal bone of the little toe to the 

 back part of the first interosseous space, and forms the plantar arch; it is con- 

 vex forwards, lies upon the Interossei muscles, opposite the tarsal ends of the 



