284 INFERIOR EXTREMITY 



posterior tibial close to its origin, and after giving some 

 twigs to muscles enters the nutrient foramen of the tibia. 

 It is remarkable on account of its large size. 



The communicating branch is given off about an inch 

 proximal to the distal end of the tibia. It passes transversely 

 laterally, under cover of the flexor hallucis longus, and joins 

 the peroneal artery. 



The medial calcanean branches pierce the ligamentum 

 laciniatum, and accompany the nerve of the same name 

 to the skin of the heel and the sole. 



The peroneal artery is a large branch which proceeds from 

 the posterior tibial about one inch or so distal to its origin. 

 In the present stage of the dissection it is seen running 

 obliquely distally and laterally upon the tibialis posterior 

 to reach the fibula. It is covered by the soleus, and is 

 accompanied by the nerve to the flexor hallucis longus. It 

 cannot be traced further at present, as it sinks into the 

 substance of that muscle. 



Crural Part of Nervus Tibialis (O.T. Posterior Tibial 

 Nerve). The tibial nerve is continued from the fossa poplitea 

 through the posterior region of the leg to the hollow between 

 the heel and the medial malleolus where it divides into the 

 lateral and medial plantar nerves. It accompanies the posterior 

 tibial vessels, and presents the same relations. For a short 

 distance, in the proximal part of the leg, it lies on the medial 

 side of the posterior tibial artery, but it soon crosses the 

 artery, and is then continued distally, for the remainder of 

 its course, on the lateral side of the vessel. 



It supplies (a) muscular branches to the tibialis posterior, 

 flexor hallucis longus, and flexor digitorum longus ; (ft) 

 cutaneous twigs, the medial calcanean branches, which spring from 

 it close to its termination, and pierce the ligamentum 

 laciniatum to reach the integument of the heel and sole 

 of the foot ; and (c] articular filaments to the ankle-joint. 



Deep Muscles. The popliteus muscle will be seen lying 

 upon the posterior aspect of the knee-joint and upon the 

 posterior surface of the tibia proximal to the linea poplitea. 

 Its tendon of origin lies within the capsule of the knee-joint, 

 and can only be properly studied when that articulation is 

 dissected. 



Note the strong fascia which covers the posterior surface of the 

 popliteus, and trace it proximally and medially to the medial side of the 



