620 DISSECTION OF THE FOOT. 



and the nerve with it are not to be injured. All the fat, and the loose 

 tissue and fascia, are then to be taken away near the toes. 



SECOND LAYER OF MUSCLES (fig. 211). In this layer are the tendons 

 of the two flexor muscles at the back of the leg, viz., flexor longus digi- 

 torum and flexor longus pollicis, which cross one another. Connected witli 

 the former, soon after it enters the foot, is an accessory muscle ; and at its 

 division into pieces four fleshy slips (lumbricales) are added to it. 



The tendon of the FLEXOR LONGUS DIGITORUM (fig. 211, B ), whilst 

 entering the foot beneath the annular ligament, lies on the internal lateral 

 ligament of the ankle joint. In the foot it is directed obliquely towards 

 the centre, where it is joined by the tendon of the flexor longus pollicis 

 and the accessory muscle, and divides into tendons for the four outer toes. 



Each tendon enters the sheath of the toe with, and beneath a tendon 

 from the flexor brevis, E. About the centre of the metatarsal phalanx 

 the tendon of the long flexor, F, is transmitted through the other, and 

 passes onwards to be inserted into the base of the ungual phalanx. Uniting 

 the flexor tendons with the two nearest phalanges of the toes are liga- 

 mentous bands (lig. brevia), one to each, as in the hand ; and the one 

 fixing the flexor perforans is anterior (p. 277). 



Action. It flexes the last phalangeal joint, and combines with the short 

 flexor in bending the metacarpo-phalangeal joint. If it acted by itself it 

 would tend to bring the toes somewhat inwards, in consequence of its ob- 

 lique position in the foot. 



The lumbricales (fig. 211, D ) are four small muscles between the tendons 

 of the flexor longus digitorum. Each arises from two tendons, with the 

 exception of the most internal, and this is connected with the inner side of 

 the tendon to the second toe. Each is inserted by a slip into the tibial 

 side of the base of the metatarsal phalanx in the four outer toes, and sends 

 an expansion to the aponeurotic covering on the dorsum of the phalanx. 

 The muscles decrease in size from the inner to the outer side of the foot. 



Action. These small muscles will assist the flexors in bending the 

 metatarso-phalangeal joint of the four outer toes ; and through their union 

 with the long extensor tendon they will aid that muscle in straightening 

 the two phlangeal joints. 



The accessorius muscle (fig. 211 A ) has two heads of origin: One is 

 mostly tendinous, and is attached to the under or the outer surface of the 

 os calcis, and to the ligamentum longum pLmtae ; the other is large and 

 fleshy, and springs from the inner or concave surface of the calcaneum. 

 The fibres end in aponeurotic bands, which join the tendon of the flexor 

 longus digitorum about the centre of the foot, and contribute slips to the 

 pieces of that tendon going to the second, third, and fourth digits (Turner). 



The muscle is bifurcated behind, and the heads of origin are separated 

 by the long plantar ligament. On it lie the external plantar vessels and 

 nerve ; and the flexor brevis digitorum conceals it. 



Action. By means of its offsets to the tendons of certain digits the 

 muscle helps to bend those toes. 



And from its position on the outer side and behind the long flexor to 

 which it is united, it will oppose the inward action of that muscle, and will 

 assist the other flexors in bending the toes directly back. 



The tendon of the FLEXOR LONGUS POLLICIS (fig. 211, c ) is deeper in 

 the sole of the foot than the flexor longus digitorum ; and, directed to the 

 root of the great toe, it enters the digital sheath, to be inserted into the 

 base of the ungual phalanx. It is united to the long flexor tendon by a 



