SOLE OF THE FOOT 



401 



M. adductor hallucis (oblique head) 



sole, in the groove on the plantar surface of the cuboid 

 bone, to reach the base of the first metatarsal bone. As 

 it traverses the sole it is enclosed in a fibrous sheath. 

 The sheath is formed mainly by fibres derived from the 

 long plantar ligament. Open the sheath, and its smooth, 

 glistening internal surface will be displayed. The glistening 

 appearance is due to the mucous layer which lines it 

 (see p. 354). The 

 tendon is inserted 

 into the plantar part 

 of the base of the 

 first metatarsal bone, 

 and also to a slight 

 degree into the ad- 

 jacent part of the first 

 cuneiform bone. In 



some cases it sends mlUSfeS Kffl^M M 

 a slip to the base of 

 the second metatarsal 

 bone also. As the 

 tendon winds round 

 the cuboid bone it is 

 thickened, and con- 

 tains a nodule Of JU=^ \ 7H^F^~^ Flexor hallucis 



fibro- cartilage, or a 

 sesamoid bone. 



Tibialis 

 posterior 



Flexor digi- 

 torum longus 



longus 



Dissection. 



The dissection of 



the sole of the foot 



is brought to an 



end by disarticulat- FIG. 176. The insertions of the Tibialis Posterior 



ing the proximal and Peronaeus Longus Muscles in the Right 



end of the first Foot. (Paterson.) 



metatarsal bone. A 



good view is thus obtained of the continuity between the dorsalis 



pedis artery and the plantar arch. 



ARTICULATIONS. 



The dissection of the knee joint, the ankle joint, the tibio- 

 fibular joints, and the various articulations of the foot, may 

 now be proceeded with. It is possible that the ligaments may 

 have become hard and dry. If that is the case, soak the 

 joints in water for an hour or two. 



VOL. I 26 



