POSTERIOR TIKIAL ARTEUV. 



415 



wards, between the biceps rotator and adductor magnus, supplying 

 them, and gaining the subcutaneous or posterior aspect of the 

 haunch ; it terminates in ascending and descending branches, which 

 inosculate with the profunda, ischiatic, and posterior tibial, supply- 

 ing also the skin at the back of the haunch. The art ic alar 

 brunches assist in supplying the stifle joint; the //<</ *<:>. <} 

 to the gastrocnemius ; one slender 

 twig descends in front of the 

 flexor perforatus, along with the 

 popliteal nerve, and anastomoses 

 with a recurrent branch of the 

 posterior tibial artery near the 

 tendo-Achillis. 



The POSTERIOR TIBIAL artery lies 

 beneath the popliteus, flexor perfor- 

 ans, and accessorius muscles, becom- 

 ing more superficial, and covered by 

 the tibial fascia, as it travels down 

 the side of the leg to the crest of 

 the os calcis, where it terminates 

 in the tarsal arch, whence spring 

 usually two recurrent branches, 

 which inosculate with small branches 

 of the popliteal and the saphenic 

 arteries. Small branches are given 

 oft' by it to supply the muscles, the 

 tarsal joint, and the nutrient artery 

 of the tibia. 



From the S shaped arch formed 

 at the hock by the above anasto- 

 moses, two small branches arise, 

 the internal and external plantar 

 arteries. Each clings to its relative 

 side of the deep flexor tendon, and 

 at the level of the upper end of the 

 suspensory ligament, both anasto- 

 mose with the perforating pedal 

 artery, forming a second or inferior anastomotic arch. From this 

 arch are given off two small vessels which ramify over the flexor 

 tendons, and an external and internal int> pl<r,itar 



artery ; the latter is the larger, and appears to be the coutiuua- 



FlG. 160. 



Arteries of the ri^ht posterior limb 

 eitermJ \ iew. 1, Popliteal : 2 -2, Poste- 

 rior tibial; 3 3, Anterior tibia! ; a, Per- 

 oueal ; b, Muscular branches : 4, Perfor- 

 ating pedal ; 5, Great metatarsal. 



