The Foot. 385 



scaphoid and internal cuneiform bones, passing over both 

 the tibialis anticus and the extensor proprius hallucis and 

 the bloodvesels as well. Muscle. Extensor brevis digi- 

 torum. From the upper and outer surface of the os cal- 

 cis ; into the dorsal surface of the base of the first phalanx 

 of the great toe by the innermost tendon the other three 

 blending with the long extensor tendons, from the leg, for 

 the second, third and fourth toes. Action. To extend 

 the four inner toes, and, in the case of the first phalanx of 

 the great toe, to act as an adductor also. The obliquity 

 of the insertion of its three outer tendons counteracts the 

 inward tendency of the long extensor when extending the 

 toes. This muscle is supplied by the anterior tibial nerve. 



Bloodvessels. The dorsalis pedis passes forwards to 

 the back part of the space between the first and second 

 metatarsal bones. Relations. It lies beneath the integu- 

 ment, fascia and the anterior annular ligament, and passes 

 under the innermost tendon of the short extensor ; on ths 

 inner side, is the extensor proprius hallucis ; externally, is 

 the extensor longus digitorum and the nerve, while be- 

 hind, are the astragalus, scaphoid and the internal cunei- 

 form bones. 



Landmarks. The dorsalis pedis artery may be re- 

 presented by a line drawn from a point midway between 

 the two malleoli, to the back of the first metatarsal 

 space. Landmarks for the tarsal branch. Draw a line 

 outwards from the line of the artery on a level with the 

 head of the astragalus. Landmarks for the metatarsal. 

 A line drawn from the line of the artery outwards, com- 

 mencing opposite the bases of the metatarsal bones. Li- 

 gation. An incision about one and a half inches long is 

 made, midway between the tendon of the extensor hallucis 

 and the innermost tendon of the extensor brevis digitor- 

 um, avoiding the internal branch of the musculo-cutaneous 



