ANGIOLOGY 249 



subcutaneously upon the latter, and reaching the knee-joint crosses 

 over the upper surface of the ischiadic nerve and becomes the 

 vena poplitealis, at which point it receives the vena tibialis antica. 



On the dorsal side of the metatarsus are two veins. The vena 

 metatarsalis dorsalis profunda (Fig. 65, No. n), which extends under 

 the tendon of the extensors of the toes, along with the artery and the 

 nerve. It collects the blood from the third and the fourth toe and in 

 the middle of the metatarsus receives the vena metatarsalis 

 dorsalis interna (Fig. 65, No. 4), which connects the vena metatar- 

 salis dorsalis profunda and the vena magna. The two dorsal veins 

 anastomose with the vena magna, at the intertarsal joint. They 

 pass transversely under the ligament and form the main trunk of the 

 vena tibialis antica which lies close to the anterior surface of the 

 tibia. Near this point there is formed a plexus of veins which 

 again form a trunk and communicates with the vena peronealis and 

 enters between the tibia and fibula with the tibialis antica. It 

 extends along the flexure of the knee and the posterior part of the 

 lower thigh. 



The vena metatarsalis externa passes subcutaneously on the 

 outside of the fourth toe and the metatarsus, and above the 

 intertarsal point joins the tibialis postica. 



The vena metatarsalis plantaris profunda (Fig. 65, No. 5) lies 

 on the ventral side of the foot and forms several anastomosing 

 arches with the other veins of the toes. Below the intertarsal joint 

 it enters the vena metatarsalis magna (Fig. 65, No. 9). 



The vena cutanea cruralis (Fig. 69, No. 7) originates at the height 

 of the tarsal region and passes subcutaneously on the outer posterior 

 surface of the lower thigh region to the vena poplitealis. 



The venae surales or inferior muscular branches of the vena poplit- 

 ealis consist of many veins. One branch comes from the region of the 

 shank and from the gastrocnemius muscle; another as a main branch 

 from the posterior surface of the lower thigh; and a third from the 

 outer surface of the muscles and skin of the upper thigh. The three 

 branches together with the anterior and posterior tibial (Fig. 69, 

 No. 2) unite at the flexure of the knee forming the vena poplitealis 

 (Fig. 69, No. i). 



In the region of the upper thigh, between the knee and the ab- 

 dominal cavity, the following four veins form the vena cruralis: 

 (Fig. 66, No. 6; Fig. 69, No. 5) First, the vena cutanea abdominalis 

 femoralis (Fig. 69, No. 6) which comes out of the side of theabdomi- 



