POSTErvIOE TIBIAL AKTEEY. 



4)S 



Avards, between the biceps rotator and adductor magnus, supplying 



them, and gaining the subcutaneous or posterior aspect of the 



haunch ; it terminates in ascendiog and descending branches, which 



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

 ing alsa the skin at the back of the haunch. The articular 



branches assist in supplying the stifle joint ; the muscular go to 



the gastrocnemius ; one slender 



twig descends iu 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 



off 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 2>lciniar 

 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 au external and internal interosseous 'plantar- 

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



Fig. 160. 

 Arteries of the right posterior limb — 

 external view. 1, Popliteal; 2 2, Poste- 

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

 oneal ; h. Muscular branches ; 4, Perfor- 

 ating pedal ; 5, Great metatarsal. 



