SOLE OF THE FOOT 381 



SOLE OF THE FOOT. 



In this dissection the dissector will meet with the follow- 

 ing structures : 



1. Superficial fascia and cutaneous vessels and nerves. 



2. Plantar aponeurosis. 



T Abductor hallucis. 



3. Superficial muscles, -| Flexor digitorum brevis. 



^ Abductor digiti quinti. 



4. Lateral and medial plantar vessels. 



5. Lateral and medial plantar nerves. 



6. Tendons of flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus. 



7. Quadratus plantse and lumbrical muscles. 



8. Flexor hallucis brevis. Adductor hallucis, transverse and oblique heads. 



9. Flexor brevis digiti quinti. 



10. Plantar arterial arch. 



11. Plantar metatarsal arteries. 



12. Plantar digital arteries. 



13. Tendons of peronseus longus and tibialis posterior. 



14. Interosseous muscles. 



Before commencing the dissection of the sole of the foot 

 the dissector should note the thickness of the skin over the 

 heel, on the balls of the toes, which correspond with the heads 

 of the metatarsal bones, and, to a less extent, along the 

 lateral border of the foot, on all of which parts the weight of 

 the body presses in the erect posture. Other noticeable 

 features are the relative shortness of the toes as contrasted 

 with the length of the fingers, and the fact that the longest 

 digit of the foot is either the second or the first, and not, as 

 in the case of the hand, the middle digit. 



Dissection. Reflection of Skin. The limb should be placed 

 upon the table, with the sole of the foot facing the dissector, 

 and the ankle supported by a good-sized block. Two incisions 

 are required (i) a longitudinal incision along the middle line 

 of the sole, from the heel to the root of the middle toe ; (2) a 

 transverse cut, at the digital extremity of the median incision, 

 across the sole at the roots of the toes. The skin should also 

 be reflected from the plantar surface of each of the toes. This 

 can be done after a longitudinal incision has been made along its 

 middle line. 



Superficial Fascia. When the flaps of skin mapped out 

 are reflected, the peculiar character of superficial fascia 

 becomes apparent. Along the lateral border of the foot, 

 over the heads of the metatarsal bones, and in the region 

 of the heel, it is thick. It is tough and granular, and in 



