THE LEG AND FOOT. 1083 



find another cutaneous branch of the external popliteal nerve ramifying on 

 the outer side of the leg. The gastrocnemius muscle is then to be cleaned, 

 and the nerves and vessels entering it are to be more particularly dissected 

 (p. 283). Its thin and flat tendon is then to be carefully divided at its 

 lower part from that of the soleus, and the muscle is to be turned upwards. 

 The soleus muscle will thus be brought into view, and, resting upon it the 

 plantaris (which however is sometimes absent). Between the soleus muscle 

 and the knee-joint the popliteus muscle will be seen protected by the pop- 

 liteal aponeurosis, and, crossing it, the lower part of the popliteal vessels 

 and internal popliteal nerve giving off branches to these muscles (pp. 442 

 and 676). The popliteus muscle is to be preserved to be dissected more 

 particularly with the knee-joint. The plantaris and soleus muscles are to be 

 separated from their superior attachments, and the nature and connexions 

 of the teiido Achillis examined (p. 285) ; after which the latter may be 

 divided near its insertion. The deep fascia is then to be divided, and the 

 flexor longus digitorum, tibialis posticus, and flexor longus pollicis muscles, 

 lying in this order from within outwards, are to be dissected (pp. 286 

 and 288). The anterior tibial artery will be seen perforating the inter- 

 osseous membrane to arrive at the front of the leg, and the posterior tibial 

 artery, vense comites, and nerve are to be studied, and the branches of the 

 nerve to the popliteus and other three deep muscles followed ; while the 

 peroneal artery is to be traced downwards in the fibres of the flexor longus 

 pollicis muscle, and will be observed to give off the anterior peroneal and a 

 communicating branch to the posterior tibial artery (pp. 444 and 677). 

 The relations of the tendons, artery and nerve behind and below the inner 

 ankle are to be particularly noted. 



6. The Sole of the Foot. The skin is to be reflected by means of an 

 incision along the middle line of the heel and sole, and a transverse one 

 across the balls of the toes. The plantar cutaneous branch of the posterior 

 tibial nerve is to be traced to its distribution ; and, on removing the fat 

 from the plantar aponeurosis, an outer and inner set of small nerves and 

 vessels will also be found perforating the latter (p. 296). Below the inner 

 ankle the internal annular ligament is to be cleaned, and the tibialis 

 posticus muscle is to be dissected to its insertion (pp. 288 and 295). The 

 skin is to be divided up the middle of the toes; the sheaths for the flexor 

 tendons are to be exhibited, and the digital arteries and nerves on both 

 sides of each of them are to be traced. The plantar aponeurosis is then to 

 be removed by dissection from the muscles which it covers as much as 

 possible, so as to expose the abductor pollicis, flexor brevis digitorum, and 

 abductor minimi digiti muscles (p. 289). The insertions of the tendons 

 of the flexor brevis digitorum are to be followed by divi-ling the sheaths on 

 the toes ; its posterior attachment is to be divided, and the branch of the 

 internal plantar nerve which supplies it sought. This will bring into view 

 the tendons of the flexor longus digitorum and flexor longus pollicis, the 

 union of which will be noted ; the flexor accessorius and the lumbricales 

 muscles will now also be dissected (p. 287). Crossing the flexor accessorius 

 muscle are the external plantar artery and nerve ; the artery is to be 

 followed to the deeper part of its course where it forms the plantar arch. 

 The branches of the nerve to the flexor accessorius and abductor minimi 

 digiti are to be found, its distribution to the two outer toes is to be traced, 

 as also the origin of its deep branch (p. 679). The flexor accessorius muscle 

 is to be removed from its broad origin, and the tendons of the flexor longus 

 pollicis and flexor longus digitorum are then to be divided. The internal 



