THE LEG 375 



or posterior to flexor hallucis longus, to join the posterior 

 tibial artery; (5) the terminal lateral calcanean branches. 



The peroneal artery is sometimes as large as the con- 

 tinuation of the posterior tibial artery beyond the point of 

 origin of the peroneal. In such cases the perforating branch 

 may be large, and may partially or entirely replace the dorsalis 

 pedis artery, or the communicating branch to the posterior 

 tibial artery may be large. 



The peroneal artery is accompanied by venae comites, 

 and, in the proximal part of its extent, it is also accompanied 

 by the nerve to the flexor hallucis longus. 



The nutrient artery springs from the posterior tibial close 

 to its origin, and, after giving some twigs to muscles, enters 

 the nutrient foramen of the tibia. It is remarkable on 

 account of its large size. 



The muscular branches supply the deep muscles on the 

 back of the leg, and one or two of large size enter the soleus. 



The cutaneous branches are given to the skin on the medial 

 aspect of the leg. 



The communicating branch is given off about an inch 

 proximal to the distal end of the tibia. It passes transversely 

 laterally, under cover of the flexor hallucis longus or superficial 

 to it, and joins the peroneal artery (Figs. 163, 164, 165). 



The medial calcanean branches pierce the ligamentum 

 laciniatum, and accompany the nerves of the same name 

 to the skin of the heel and the sole. 



Crural Part of Nervus Tibialis (O.T. Posterior Tibial 

 Nerve). The tibial nerve is continued from the popliteal fossa 

 through the posterior region of the leg to the hollow between 

 the heel and the medial malleolus, where it divides into the 

 lateral and medial plantar nerves. The division takes place 

 proximal to the division of the posterior tibial artery. The 

 nerve accompanies the posterior tibial vessels, and presents the 

 same relations. For a short distance, in the proximal part of 

 the leg, it lies on the medial side of the posterior tibial artery, 

 but it soon crosses superficial to the artery, and is then con- 

 tinued distally, and, for the remainder of its course, lies on 

 the lateral side of the vessel. 



It supplies (a) muscular branches to the tibialis posterior, 

 flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, and soleus ; 

 (ft) cutaneous twigs the medial calcanean branches which spring 

 from it close to its termination, and pierce the ligamentum 



