Regional

Anatomy
局部解剖学
Lecturer / Bo Qin
Hubei Polytechnic University,
School of Medicine,
Department of Morphology
UPPER LIMB

Anterior and Medial Region of Thigh

Content

The Gluteal Region and Back of Thigh

The Back of the Leg

Front of the leg and dorsum of the foot

01. Anterior and Medial Region of Thigh
Learning Objective
1. Know the structures formed by the deep fascia of the thigh (saphenous hiatus and iliotibial
tract).
2. Know the contents of anterior, medial and posterior fascial compartment of the thigh.
3. Master the boundaries and contents of the femoral triangle
4. Know the composition and contents of the femoral sheath.
5. Master the boundaries of the femoral ring.
6. Master the beginning, ending and branches of the femoral artery.
7. Master the origin, branches and distribution of the femoral nerve.
8. Master the boundaries and contents of the adductor canal.
9. Know the beginning, branches and distribution of the obturator nerve and artery.
I. Superficial structures
REGIONS, BONES, AND MAJOR JOINTS OF
LOWER LIMB
• The hip bones meet anteriorly at the pubic
symphysis and articulate with the sacrum
posteriorly.
• The femur articulates with the hip bone
proximally and the tibia distally.
• The tibia and bula are the bones of the leg that
join the foot at the ankle.
I. Superficial structures
Ⅰ) Cutaneous nerves
1. Lateral cutaneous n. of the thigh
(1) A branch of the lumber plexus
(2) Supplies the skin of the lateral aspect
of the thigh and knee

2. Intermediate cutaneous n. of the thigh

3. Medial cutaneous n. of the thigh

I. Superficial structures
Ⅱ) The great saphenous vein
1. Begins the medial end of dorsal venous
arch of foot
2. Passes anterior to the medial malleolus
and ascends on the medial side of the leg,
then passes behind the knee and curves
forward around the medial side of the thigh
3. Inclines anteriorly through the thigh to
enter the femoral vein through the
saphenous hiatus which lies about 4 cm
below and lateral to the pubic tubercle
I. Superficial structures
Ⅱ) The great saphenous vein
4. Tributaries:
(1) External pudendal v.
(2) Superficial epigastric v.
(3) Superficial iliac circumflex v.
(4) Superficial medial femoral v.
(5) Superficial lateral femoral v.
I. Superficial structures
Ⅲ) Superficial inguinal lymph
nodes:
1. Horizontal group:
(1) Lies just below and parallel to the
inguinal lig.
(2) Receive lymph from anterior abdominal
wall below umbilicus, gluteal region,
perineal region, external genital organs

9
I. Superficial structures
Ⅲ) Superficial inguinal lymph nodes:
2. Vertical group:
(1) Lies along the terminal part of the great
saphenous v.
(2) Receives most of the superficial lymph
vessels of lower limb
(3) Efferent vessels drain into the deep inguinal
ln. or external iliac ln.
II. Deep structures
Ⅰ) Deep fascia – fascia lata
1. Encloses the thigh like a trouser leg.
2. Laterally the deep fascia forms a
thick band, the iliotibial tract, from the
iliac tubercle to the lateral condyle of
tibial.
II. Deep structures
Ⅰ) Deep fascia – fascia lata
3. Saphenous hiatus
(1) A gap in the deep fasica which lies about 4 cm below and lateral
to the pubic tubercle
(2) Falciform margin is the lower lateral border of the opening,
which lies anterior to the femoral vessels.
The saphenous opening is filled with loose connective tissue called
the cribriform fascia
II. Deep structures
Ⅰ) Deep fascia – fascia lata
4. The fascia lata sends intermuscular septa to the linea aspera of the femur.
These separate the thigh into three compartments each of which contains a group of muscles, the
vessels and the nerves.
II. Deep structures
Ⅱ) Contents of the anterior fascial compartment of the
thigh
1. Muscles
(1) Sartorius
(2) Quadriceps femoris
1) Origin:
2) Insertion: tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
3) Action: extends leg at knee joint; rectus femoris also
flexes thigh at hip joint
4) Nerve supply: femoral n.
(3) Iliopsoas
2. Nerve supply: lumbar plexus
3. Blood supply: femoral artery
II. Deep structures
Ⅲ) Contents of the medial fascial compartment of the
thigh
2. Blood supply: Profunda femoris a. and obturator a.
3. Nerves supply: obturator n.
II. Deep structures
Ⅲ) Contents of the medial fascial
compartment of the thigh
Ⅳ) Lacuna musculorum
1. Bounded by lateral portion of inguinal ligament
anteriorly, ilium posterolaterally, iliopectinal arch
medially
2. Contents: iliopsoas, femoral n. and lateral
femoral cutaneous n.
II. Deep structures
Ⅲ) Contents of the medial fascial
compartment of the thigh
Ⅴ) Lacuna vasorum
1. Bounded by medial portion of inguinal ligament
anteriorly, pectineal ligament posteromedially,
lacunar ligament medially, and iliopectinal arch
posterolaterally
2. Contents: femoral sheath, femoral a. and v.,
genital branch of genitofemoral n. and lymphatic
vessels
Ⅲ. Femoral triangle
(upper third of front of thigh)
Ⅰ) Boundries:
• Bounded by inguinal ligament above,
medial border of sartorius laterally, and
medial border of adductor longus medially.
Anterior wall is formed fascia lata.
• Posterior wall is formed by iliopsoas,
pectineus adductor longus and their fascia.

Ⅱ) Contents (lateral to medial):

• femoral n.,
• femoral a.,
• femoral v. and femoral canal
compartmentalized within the femoral
sheath
Ⅲ. Femoral triangle (upper third of front of thigh)
Ⅲ) Femoral sheath
1. A funnel- shaped sheath
2. Derived from transversalis fascia anteriorly and
iliac fascia posteriorly
3. It surroumds the femoral vessels and lymphatic
about 2.5cm belower the inguinal ligamemt.
4. Its lower end disappears at the lower margin of
the saphenous opening where the sheath fuses
with the adventitia of the vessels.
Ⅲ. Femoral triangle (upper third of front of thigh)
Ⅲ) Femoral sheath
5. Divided into three compartments by two
fibrous septa
(1) The femoral artery occupies the lateral
compartment of the sheath.
(2) The femoral vein lies the middle
compartment.
(3) The medial compartment is small, called
the femoral canal.
Ⅲ. Femoral triangle (upper third of front of thigh)
Ⅲ) Femoral sheath
Ⅲ. Femoral triangle (upper third of front of thigh)
Ⅳ) Femoral canal
1. Short, blind and potential space, may
be site of femoral hernia
2. About 1.3cm long , and its upper
opening is called the femoral ring .
3. Femoral ring: formed by inguial
ligament anteriorly, lacunar ligament
medially, pectineal libament poateriorly,
femoral vein laterally; covered by femoral
septum
4. Contains: a little loose fatty tissue, a
small lymph node, and some lymph
vessels
Ⅲ. Femoral triangle (upper third of front of thigh)
Ⅳ) Femoral canal
5. Femoral hernia
1) If a loop of intestine is forced into the
femoral ring, it expands to form a swelling in
the upper part of the thigh. Such a condition is
known as a femoral hernia.
2) A femoral hernia is more common in
women than in men (possibly because their
wider pelvis and femoral canal ).
Ⅲ. Femoral triangle
(upper third of front of thigh)
Ⅳ) Femoral canal
6. Femoral artery
(1) This is the main artery of the lower limb and is
directly continuous with the external iliac artery of
the abdomen behind the inguinal ligament at the
mid- inguinal point.
(2) It becomes the popliteal artery by passing
through the adductor tendinous opening.
Ⅲ. Femoral triangle (upper third of front of thigh)
Ⅳ) Femoral canal
6. Femoral artery
(3) Principal branch－profund femoris artery
1) Arises from the posterolateral side of the femoral
artery about 4 cm below the inguinal ligament.
2) It gives off
① Lateral circumflex artery: It arises from the profunda
near its origin and runs laterally among the branches of
the femoral nerve and then deep to rectus femoris.
Here it divides into ascending, transverse, and
descending branches.
② Medial circumflex artery: arises either from the
profunda near its origin or occasionally direct from the
femoral artery.
③ Three perforating arteries
3) It ends by becoming the fourth perforating a.
Ⅲ. Femoral triangle (upper third of front of thigh)
Ⅳ) Femoral canal
7. Femoral vein
(1) This is the direct continuation of the
popliteal vein.
(2) It begins at the adductor tendinous
opening and accompanies the femoral
artery to the inguinal ligament behind which
it becomes the external iliac vein.
(3) The femoral vein contains several valves.
Ⅲ. Femoral triangle (upper third of front of thigh)
Ⅳ) Femoral canal
8. The deep inguinal lymph nodes
(1) Lie medial to the femoral v.
(2) Receive deep lymphatics of lower limb, perineal region, and efferent lymphatics from the
superficial inguinal ln.
(3) Efferent lymph vessels drain into the external iliac ln.
Three or four deep inguinal lymph nodes lie along the medial side of the femoral vein.
Ⅲ. Femoral triangle
(upper third of front of thigh)
Ⅴ) Adduct canal ( middle third of medial
part of thigh)
1. Extends from apex of femoral triangle to
adductor hiatus
2. Bounded by vastus medialis laterally,
adductors longus and magmus posteriorly,
and adductor lamina and sartorius anteriorly
3. Contents – saphenous nerve, femoral a.,
femoral v., lymphatic vessels, and loose
connective tissue
Ⅲ. Femoral triangle (upper third of front of thigh)
Ⅳ. Blood vessels and nerve of medial side of thigh
Ⅰ) Obturator a.: arises from internal iliac artery in the lesser pelvis, passes through the
obturator canal where it divides into anterior and posterior branches.

Ⅱ) Obturator n.: arises from the lumbar plexus in the abdomen. It enters the thigh through the
obturator canal where it divides into anterior and posterior branches. The anterior branch
descends anterior to the adductor brevis. The posterior branch descends between adductors
brevis and magnus supplying both.
02. The Gluteal Region and Back of Thigh
Learning Objective
1. Know the name, position and nerve supply of muscles of the gluteal region.
2. Mast the structures the structures passing through the suprapiriform foramen.
3. Mast the structures passing through the infrapiriform foramen and lesser sciatic foramen.
4. Master the origin, course and distribution of the sciatic nerve.
5. Know contents of posterior fascial compartment of the thigh.
Ⅰ. The gluteal region
Ⅰ) Boundaries:
1. Superiorly: iliac crest
2. Inferiorly: fold of buttock

Ⅱ) Cutaneous nerves:
Superior cluneal n.,
Medial cluneal n.,
Inferior cluneal n.
Ⅰ. The gluteal region
Ⅲ) Muscles of the gluteal region
1. Gluteus maximus
(1) Origin: gluteal surface of ilium and dorsal aspect of
sacrum
(2) Insertion: gluteal tuberosity of femur and iliotibial
tract
(3) Action: extends and laterally rotates thigh at hip
joint; raises trunk when the lower limb is fixed
(4) Nerve supply: inferior gluteal n.
2. Gluteus medius
3. Gluteus minimus
4. Piriformis
5. Tensor fasciae latae
6. Obturator internus
7. Quadratus femoris
Ⅰ. The gluteal region
Ⅳ) Structures passing
suprapiriform foramen: superior
gluteal n., a., v. from lateral to medial side

Ⅴ) Structures passing
infrapiriform foramen: sciatic n.,
posterior femoral cutaneous n., inferior
gluteal n., a.,v., internal pudendal v., a.,
and pudendal n. from lateral to medial side.

Ⅵ) Pudendal nerve, internal

pudendal artery
These structures enter the gluteal region
through the infrapiriform foramen. They
then curve forwards to enter the perineum
through the lesser sciatic foramen.
Ⅰ. The gluteal region
Ⅶ) Nerves of the gluteal region
1. Sciatic nerve
(1) Course: It arises from the sacral plexus and
passes through infrapiriform foramen into the gluteal
region, deep to gluteus maximus, passing midway
between the greater trochanter of femur and ischial
tuberosity to back of thigh, the nerve lies deep to the
long head of biceps on the posterior surface of
adductor magnus. The sciatic nerve usually ends half-
way down the back of the thigh by dividing into the
common peroneal and tibial nerves.
(2) Distribution: semitendinosus, semimembranosus
and biceps femoris and has articular branches to hip
and knee joints
Ⅰ. The gluteal region
Ⅶ) Nerves of the gluteal region
1. Sciatic nerve
(3) Relationship of sciatic n. to the piriformis:
Occasionally, the sciatic n. divides into its
two terminal parts at a higher level －in the
upper part of the thigh, the gluteal region, or
even inside the pelvis.
Ⅰ. The gluteal region
Ⅶ) Nerves of the gluteal region
1. Sciatic nerve

B. Intragluteal injection. Injections can be made

safely only into the superolateral part of the buttock to
avoid injury to the sciatic and gluteal nerves. This site
has a rich vascular network from the superior gluteal
vessels that lie between the gluteus medius and
minimus muscles.
Ⅰ. The gluteal region
Ⅶ) Nerves of the gluteal region
2. Posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh
(1) Arises from the sacral plexus
(2) Leaves the pelvis through the lower part of the
greater sciatic foramen
(3) lies on the sciatic nerve or along its medial
border. It then runs down the middle of the back of
the thigh immediately deep to the deep fascia
(4) It pierces the deep fascia at the back of the
knee and descends as far as the middle of the back
of the calf.
3. Superior gluteal nerve
This branch of the sacral plexus enters the
gluteal region through the uppermost part of the
greater sciatic foramen; supplies gluteus medius
and minimus and tensor fasciae latae
Ⅰ. The gluteal region
4. Inferior gluteal nerve
This branch of the sacral plexus enters
the gluteal region inferior to piriformis. It
supplies gluteus maximus.
5. Pudendal nerve
Enter the gluteal region through the
lowest part of the greater sciatic foramen;
then curve forwards to enter the perineum
through the lesser sciatic foramen.
Ⅱ.Contemts of the posterior facial compartment of the thigh
Ⅰ) Muscles
1. Biceps femoris
2. Semitendinosus
3. Semimembranosus

Ⅱ) Blood supply－branches of the

deep femoral artery

Ⅲ) Nerve supply－sciatic nerve

03. The Back of the Leg
Learning Objective
1. Master the boundary and contents of the popliteal fossa.
2. Know contents of posterior fascial compartment of leg.
3. Master the beginning, ending and branches of the posterior tibial arteriy.
4. Master the distributions of the tibial nerve.
5. Master the structures that pass through the malleolar canal.
Ⅰ. Popliteal fossa
－diamond-shaped intermuscular space situated
at the back of the knee

Ⅰ) Boundaries of the popliteal fossa

1. Superolaterally: Biceps femoris
2. Superomedially: semimembranosus and
semitendinosus
3. Inferiorly: lateral and medial heads of
gastrocnemius
4. Roof : deep fascia
5. Floor: popliteal surface of the femur, the
posterior capsule of the knee joint, and the fascia
covering poplite
Ⅰ. Popliteal fossa
Ⅱ) Contents of the popliteal fossa
1. Tibial and common peroneal nerves and their
branches
(1) Tibial nerve
1) It is the larger of the two terminal branches of the
sciatic nerve which separate about the lower third of
the thigh
2) It runs vertically through the popliteal fossa, posterior
to the popliteal vessels.
3) Branches in the popliteal fossa: :
① Sural n. descends between the two heads of the
gastrocnemius and is usually jointed by the sural
communicating branch of the common peroneal n.
② Muscular braches supply both heads of the
gastrocemius and plantaris, soleus, and popliteus
③ Articular branches supply the knee joint
Ⅰ. Popliteal fossa
Ⅱ) Contents of the popliteal fossa
1. Tibial and common peroneal nerves and their
branches
(2) Common peroneal nerve
1) It runs along the medial border of the biceps femoris to
the back of the head of the fibula. It then curves forwards
between the neck of the fibula and the upper fibres of the
peroneus longus muscle. Here the nerve divides into
superficial and deep peroneal nerves.
2) Branchens in the popliteal fossa:
① peroneal communicating nerve
② lateral cutaneous n. of the calf
③ muscular branch
④ articular branches
Ⅰ. Popliteal fossa
Ⅱ) Contents of the popliteal fossa
2. Popliteal vein and its tributaries
(1) Formed by the junction of the anterior and posterior
tibial veins near the lower border of the popliteus muscle.
(2) Lies between the tibial n. and popliteal a. throughout
its course
(3) Passes through the opening in the adductor magnus
to become the femoral v.
3. Deep popliteal lympn nodes
(1) There may be 4-5 nodes just under the deep fascia,
close to the popliteal fossa vessels.
(2) Receive superficial lymph vessels from the lateral side
of the foot and leg; also receive lymph from the knee joint
and from deep lymph vessels accompanying the anterior
and posterior tibial vessels.Efferents pass to the deep
inguinal lymph node
Ⅰ. Popliteal fossa
Ⅱ) Contents of the popliteal fossa
4. Popliteal artery and its branches
(1) Enters the popliteal fossa through the
opening in the adductor magnus, as a
continuous of the femoral artery. It ends at
the lower border of the popliteus muscle
where it divides into anterior tibial a. and
posterior tibial a.
(2) Branches:
1) Superior, inferior, and middle
genicular arteries
2) Muscular branches
5. Fatty tissue
Ⅱ. The back of the leg
Ⅰ) superficial structures
1. Cutaneous nerves of the back of the leg
(1) Sural n., a branch of the tibial nerve, suplies the
skin on the lower part of the posterolateral surface of
the leg.
(2) Peroneal communicating n., arises from the
common peroneal nerve in the popliteal fossa, and
descends to join the sural nerve.
(3) Lateral cutaneous n. of the calf, a branch of the
common peroneal n., supplies the skin on the upper
part of the posterolateral surface of the leg.
Ⅱ. The back of the leg
Ⅰ) superficial structures
2. Small saphenous v.
(1) Arises from the lateral part of the dorsal
venous arch of foot
(2) Ascends behind lateral malleolus and then runs
up the midline of the back of the leg
(3) Pierces the deep fascia and enters the popliteal v.
(4) Drains the lateral side of the foot and ankle and
the back of the leg.
Ⅱ. The back of the leg
Ⅱ) Deep structures
1. Contents of the posterior fascial compartment of
the leg
(1) Muscles
1) Superficial group muscles－triceps surae:
gstrocnemius, soleus, plantaris
① Origin:
Gastrocnemius: medial and lateral condyles of femur
Soleus: soleal line of tibia and upper third of fibula
② Insertion: calcaneum via tendo calcaneus
③ Action: flexes knee joint and plantar flexes foot at
ankle joint; steadies leg on foot during standing
④Nerve supply: tibial n.
Ⅱ. The back of the leg
Ⅱ) Deep structures
1. Contents of the posterior fascial compartment
of the leg
(1) Muscles
2) Deep group muscles
① Popliteus ② Flexor digitorum longus ③
Tibialis posterior
Origin: posterior surface of tibia and ffibula and
interosseous membrane
Insertion: tuberosity of navicular, all cuniforms
Action: plantar flexes and inverts foot
Nerve supply: tibial n.tibialis posterior
④ Flexor hallucis longus
Ⅱ. The back of the leg
Ⅱ) Deep structures
2. Blood supply: Posterior tibial a.
(1) Begin at level of the lower border of the popliteus
(2) Passes downwards deep to gastrocnemius and soleus
(3) Passes behind medial malleolus and terminates by
dividing into medial and lateral plantar arteries
(4) Main branches:
1) Peroneal a.
2) Medial and lateral plantar aa.
3. Nerve supply: Tibial nerve
(1) Runs inferiorly with posterior tibial vessels and
terminates beneath flexor retinaculum by dividing into
medial and lateral plantar nerves
(2) Supplies posterior muscles of leg and knee joint
Ⅱ. The back of the leg
Ⅲ) Malleolar canal 踝管
1. Flexor retinaculum: A thickened band of deep fascia that
extends from the medial malleolus downward and backward
to be attached to the medial surface of the calcaneus.
2. Formed by midial surface of calcaneus, flexor retinaculum
and medial malleolus
3. Structures passing through the malleolar canal
(1) Tibialis posterior
(2) Flexor digitirum longus
(3) Posterior tibial a. v. and n.
(4) Flexor hallucis longus
Ⅲ. The sole of the foot
Ⅰ) Skin:
1. Thick and hairless
2. Firmly bound down to the underlying deep fascia by numerous fibrous bands
Ⅱ) Deep fascia－plantar aponeurosis is triangular and occupies the central area of the sole
Ⅲ) Muscles of the sole of the foot
The muscles of the sole are conveniently described in four layers from the inferior layer
superiorly.
04. Front of the leg and dorsum of the foot
Learning Objective
1. Know the contents of anterior and lateral fascial compartment of the leg.
2. Master the beginning, ending and branches of the anterior tibial artery.
3. Master the distributions of the superficial and deep peroneal nerves.
4. Master the innervation of the muscles of the leg.
5. Know the beginning, ending and branches of the dorsalis pedis artery.
Ⅰ. Superficial structures
Ⅰ) Superficial veins
1. The dorsal venous arch lies on the distal parts of the
bodies of the metatarsals. It drains the dorsum of the foot
and toes.
2. The small saphenous vein runs posteriorly, passing
first inferior and then posterior to the lateral malleolus. It
ascends to the popliteal fossa in the back of the leg.
3. The great saphenous vein passes posterioriy on the
medial side of the foot. It ascends anterior to the medial
malleolus, then obliquely across the distal third of the
medial surface of the tibia.
Ⅰ. Superficial structures
Ⅱ）Cutaneous nerves
1. The upper two-thirds of the front of the leg is supllied by
the saphenous nerve (L3,4) medially, and the lateral
cutaneous nerve of the calf laterally.
2. The lower third is supplied by the superficial peroneal
and saphenous nerves.
3. The dorsum of the foot is mainly supplied by the medial
and intermediate cutaneous branches of the superficial
peroneal nerve. However, the lateral margin is supplied
by the sural nerve and the medial margin by the
saphenous nerve proximally and the superficial peroneal
distally.
4. The first interdigital cleft and the skin immediately
proximal to it are supplied by the deep peroneal nerve.
Ⅱ. Deep structures
Ⅰ) Deep fascia
1. The deep fascia surrounds the leg and
forms two intermuscular septa to be attached
to the fibula. Divided the leg into three
compartments－anterior, lateral and
posterior－each of which contains a group of
muscles, the vessels and the nerves.
2. At the ankle it forms thickened bands
(retinacula) which hold the tendons dose to
the joint and prevent them from springing
forwards in dorsiflexion of the ankle.
Ⅱ. Deep structures
Ⅰ) Deep fascia
3. Superior extensor retinaculum is a broad
band which extends between the fibula and the
anterior border of the tibia .
4. Inferior extensor retinaculum is Y-shaped.
The stem of the Y is attached to the upper surface
of the anterior part of the calcaneus. Medially, the
limbs of the Y separate. The upper is attached to
the medial malleolus, the lower passes to the
medial side of the foot and fuses with the fascia of
the sole.
Ⅱ. Deep structures
Ⅱ) Contents of the anterior fascial
compartment of the leg
1. Muscles:
(1) Tibialis anterior
1) Origin: lateral surface of tibia
2) Insertion: medial cuneiform and base of 1st metatarsal
3) Action: dorsiflexes and inverts foot
4) Nerve supply: deep peroneal n.
(2) Extensor digitorum longus
(3) Extensor hallucis longus
(4) Peroneus tertius
Ⅱ. Deep structures
Ⅱ) Contents of the anterior fascial
compartment of the leg
2. Blood supply:
(1) Anterior tibial a.
1) From the popliteai artery at the lower border of
popliteus.
2) It passes forwards above the interosseous
membrane, and turns downwards on the anterior
surface of that membrane with the deep peroneal
nerve.
3) It becomes the dorsalis pedis artery, midway
between the malleoli.
(2) The anterior tibial veins are closely applied to
the artery.
Ⅱ. Deep structures
Ⅱ) Contents of the anterior fascial
compartment of the leg
3. Nerve supply: deep peroneal nerve
(1) It arises from the common peroneal nerve
between the neck of the fibula and the peroneus
longus muscle
(2) It descends in the anterior compartment of
the leg with the anterior tibial vessels.
(3) It supplies all the muscles of the anterior
compartment of the leg and extensor digitorum
brevis.
(4) If the nerve is destroyed, dorsiflexion of the
ankle and extension of the metatarsophalangeal
joints is lost, and inversion is weakened the
condition known as ‘drop foot’.
Ⅱ. Deep structures
Ⅲ) Contents of the lateral fascial
compartment of the leg
1. Muscles
(1) Peroneus longus
(2) Peroneus brevis
2. Blood supply: branches from the peroneal artey
3. Nerve supply: superficial peroneal nerve
(1) A branch of the common fibular n.
(2) Supplies the peroneus longus, peroneus brevis
and skin of the distal part of the anterior surface of
the leg and nearly all the dorsum of the foot.
Ⅱ. Deep structures
Ⅳ) Dorsum of the foot
1. Muscles of the dorsum of the foot:
(1) Extensor digitorum brevis
Action: extension of the interphalangeai and metatarsophalangeal joints of the second, third, and
fourth toes.
(2) Extensor hallucis brevis
Action: it extends the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe.
2. Nerve supply: the deep peroneal nerve.
3. Dorsalis pedis artery
(1) It begins on the anterior surface of the ankle joint and runs with the deep peroneal nerve
(2) It divides into the arcuate artery and the first dorsal metatarsal artery at the proximal end of the first
intermetatarsal space.
(3) On the dorsum of the foot it lies on the tarsal bones and is readily palpated against them between
the tendons of extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus.
Thank You