FRONT OP LEG AND DORSUM OP FOOT. 237 



downward, to supply the heads of the gastrocnemius mus- 

 cle, and the azygos articular, a small branch, almost always 

 broken or destroyed in removing the fat from the popliteal 

 space, springing from the posterior aspect of the artery, 

 penetrates the ligamentnm posticum Winslowii, to supply 

 the internal structures of the knee-joint. 



DISSECTION XL 



FRONT OF THE LEG AND DORSUM OF THE FOOT. 



The dissection now reverts to the front of the limb, and is continued 

 by making an incision from the knee downward and along. the dorsura 

 jf the foot. The integument alone should be reflected. 



The front of the leg will be found encased by a strong, 

 glistening fascia, continuous with the fascia lata of the 

 ;high ; upon the inner side of this will be found the internal 

 iphena vein, and, at the junction of the middle and lower 

 third, the continuation of the musculo-cutaneous branch of 

 peroneal nerve will be seen emerging through an aper- 

 Lure in the fascia. 



The internal saphena vein commences at the great toe, 



icl passes up along the inner side of the leg, and behind 

 the inner condyle, to the saphenous opening in the upper 

 part of the anterior femoral region (p. 196), where it termi- 

 nates in the femoral vein. 



The musculo-cutaneous nerve, after its division from the 

 peroneal at the head of the fibula, passes downward between 

 the peronei muscles and the extensor longus digitorum, 

 to emerge through a distinct foramen in the fascia on the 

 front of the leg, at about the union of its middle and lower 

 third ; it then divides into two branches, called the peroneal 

 cutaneous ; these pass down superficially, and at the toes 

 divide again into branches, distributed to their sides, ex- 

 cept the outer side of the little toe. 



On the dorsum of the foot, the termination of the anterior 

 tibial nerve (p. 240) will be found, accompanying the dor- 

 salis pedis artery in the first interosseous space ; this nerve 

 generally supplies the great toe, and the outer side of the 

 next; -it anastomoses with the peroneal cutaneous nerves. 



Along: the outer border of the foot will be found the 



