132 



HITCHCOCK'S ANATOMY 



langes. In the tendon of one of them (Peroneus Longus) is 

 found a sesamoid bone, at the point where it glides over the 

 cuboid bone. 



260. Muscles of the Foot —A few muscles are found 

 upon the upper and under surface of the foot, most of which 

 p IG u ^ arise near the tarsus, and are 



inserted at the base of the 

 phalanges. In their action 

 the toes are either bent or 

 extended. 



261. Annular Ligaments. 

 — An interesting contrivance 

 for preserving the slenderness 

 of the hand and foot is found 

 in the Annular Ligaments. 

 These are large bundles of 

 ligamentous tissue which pass 

 around the wrist and ankle, 

 very much resembling a brace- 

 let. (Figs. 148, and 149, p. 

 133.) They are very firm and 

 stout, and their design is to 

 keep in place the tendons 

 which move the extremities. 

 When, for example, we move 

 the toes upwards, the muscles 

 which effect this motion with 

 their tendons would extend in a straight line from the upper 

 part of the tibia to the last phalanx, thus making the leg 

 and foot very cumbersome and unwieldy organs, and poorly 

 adapted to their present use. 



A View of the Muscles on the Sole of the 

 Foot immediately under the Plantar Fas- 

 cia. 1, Os Calcis. 2, Section of the Fascia 

 Plantaris. 3, Abductor Pollicis. 4, Ab- 

 ductor Minimi Digiti. 5, Flexor Brevis 

 Digitorum. 6, Tendon of the Flexor 

 Longus Pollicis. 7, 7, Lumbricales. 



261. What is the use of the Annular Ligaments ? What ornaments do they very closely 

 /esemble ? Suppose these or their equivalent was wanting ? 



