THE LOWER EXTREMITY, POSTERIOR. 633 



branch to the peroneal under the tendon of the flexor 

 longus hallucis, and about an inch above the ankle joint. 

 (5) One or more small internal malleolar branches to the 

 inner side of the ankle. (6) The artery below, which is 

 its largest branch. 



The Peroneal Artery. Figs. 125, 130. 



This is a branch from the posterior tibial, about an inch 

 below the lower border of the popliteus muscle ; it turns 

 outward and downward along the fibular side of the leg, 

 lying deeply placed between the tibialis posticus and flexor 

 longus hallucis, or else under the latter. About three 

 inches above the ankle joint it gives off the anterior pero- 

 neal and then continues under the name of the posterior 

 peroneal to behind the external malleolus, where it breaks 

 up into several terminal branches to the outer and back 

 part of the os calcis. There are two accompanying veins. 

 Branches of the Peroneal Artery. 



(i) Muscular branches to the adjacent muscles. (2) A 

 nutrient artery to the fibula, in the middle and lower thirds 

 of the leg. (3) The anterior peroneal. This artery is 

 given off" about three inches above the ankle joint, passes 

 forward between the tibia and fibula and through the inter- 

 osseous membrane to the front of the leg, then turns down- 

 ward to supply the outer part of the front of the ankle. 

 See page 594. (4) The communicating branch (or 

 branches), anastomoses with the posterior tibial across 

 the lower end of the tibia. See Posterior Tibial. (5) The 

 cutaneous branches to the integument upon the outer side 

 of the leg. (6) The external calcanean, supplies the parts 

 at the outer side of the os calcis. This with the small 

 terminal branches of the peroneal anastomose about the 

 ankle with the external malleolar, anterior peroneal, tarsal 



