THE ANTERIOR TIBIAL ARTERY. 501 



whence the vessel is afterwards prolonged to the hinder end of the interval between 

 the first and second metatarsal bones, under the name of dorsal artery of the foot. 

 The anterior tibial artery is at first directed forwards between the attachments 



Fig. 396. ANTERIOR VIEW OP THE ARTERIES OP THE LEG 

 AND FOOT. (Tiederaann.) 



The tibialis anticus muscle is drawn inwards so as to bring the 

 anterior tibial artery into view ; the extensor proprius hallucis, the 

 long extensor of the toes and the peroneus tertius muscles in their 

 lower part, and the whole of the extensor brevis, have been removed. 

 1, superior external articular branch of the popliteal artery ; 2, 

 anterior tibial recurrent ; 3, 3, anterior tibial. giving off muscular 

 tranches on each side ; 4, dorsal artery of the foot ; 5, external 

 malleolar artery, anastomosing with the anterior peroneal which is 

 seen descending upon the lower part of the fibula ; the internal 

 malleolar is represented proceeding from the inner side of the anterior 

 tibial artery ; 6, tarsal branch of the dorsal artery, in this instance 

 larger than usual and reinforcing the next artery ; 7, metatarsal 

 branch, giving off the second dorsal interosseous artery ; in the first 

 interosseous space the dorsal artery of the foot is seen descending into 

 the sole after having given off the first dorsal interosseous artery ; 

 between 8, and 8, the collateral dorsal digital arteries. 



of the tibialis posticus muscle (p. 267), and through the 

 aperture in the upper part of the interosseous membrane, 

 lying here close to the inner side of the neck of the fibula, 

 to the front of the leg. It then descends along the 

 anterior surface of the interosseous membrane, gradually 

 approaching the tibia, and in its lower part comes to lie 

 over the front of that bone. The position of the artery 

 may be indicated by a line drawn from a point midway 

 between the head of the fibula and the external tuberosity 

 of the tibia to the centre of the front of the ankle-joint. 



In the upper two-thirds of the leg, while resting on 

 the interosseous membrane, to which it is closely bound 

 down by connective tissue, the artery is deeply placed 

 between the tibialis anticus on its inner side and the 

 extensor longus digitorum and extensor proprius hallucis 

 muscles on its outer side. In the lower third, where the 

 muscles become tendinous, the artery inclines forwards 

 upon the tibia and is nearer to the surface, but is covered 

 by the extensor proprius hallucis, which crosses it gradually 

 from the outer to the inner side. Above the ankle it is 

 placed also beneath the upper band of the anterior annular 

 ligament. 



Relation to veins and nerves. The, anterior tibial 

 artery is accompanied by two vence comites. The anterior 

 tibial nerve, coming from the outer side of the neck of 

 the fibula, approaches the artery a short distance below 

 the place where the vessel appears in front of the inter- 

 osseous membrane. Lower down, the nerve for the most 

 part lies in front of the artery, and at the ankle it is generally on the outer side of 

 the vessel. 



BRANCHES. Before perforating the interosseous membrane the anterior tibial 

 artery gives off the posterior tibial recurrent and the superior fibular branches. On 

 the front of the leg it gives off the anterior tibial recurrent, numerous muscular 

 branches, and the external and internal malleolar arteries. 



K K 2 



