386 



THE MUSCLES 



these two movoments they are assisted by tlie luinl 

 ment is of jiivut importance, as it keeps the toes 

 body rests upon tlie front part of the foot. When 

 the action of the long and short flexors of the toes 

 of the toes are subjected to consideralile pressure, 

 in the bkls of the nails. 



The special action of the plantar interossei is 

 the three outer toes; and of the dorsal interossei 



)ricales. In walking, this move- 

 straight when the weight of the 

 these movements are paralysed, 

 is to curl them up, and the ends 

 which may set up inflanmiation 



to adduct the first phalanges of 

 to al)duct the second, third, and 



Fig. 296. — Foukth Layer of the Muscles of the Sole. 



Peroneus longus 



Plantar interossei 



~!s-^ Dorsal interossei 



fourth toes from the middle line of the second toe. As the second toe can be 

 abducted from its own middle line in two directions, it of course requires two 

 aljductors. 



Relations. — On tlie i)lantar surfaces l)oth sets of interossei are in contact witli 

 the muscles of the third layer, and with the external plantar vessels and nerve; on 

 the dorsal surface Ww dorsal interossei are covered by the tendons of the extensor 

 longus and l)revis digitorum. The dorsalis pedis and other ])erforating arteries pass 

 tlirough the l)ack of the interosseous spaces between the doul)le origins of the dorsal 

 interossei. 



