CHAP. IV. The propagations of the outer Iliacal branch, which are distributed through the Crus or great foot, containing the thigh, leg, and foot.
AFter that the outer branch [V] has propagated the fore-mentioned branches, it departs out of the peritonaeum or rim of the belly, and at the groin is carried into the Crus, by the same way which the crural vein takes, under which it goes,* 1.1 and is joyned in company therewith everywhere, and so it makes the Trunk of the Crural Artery [Χ] (as we will alwaies call it). But present∣ly after it hath got beyond the Peritonaeum, it issues forth a propagation from the outside, which is called Muscula crura is exterior, the outer Muscle-artery of the Crus, which being carried downward is propagated into the Muscles that cover the foreside of the [unspec 1] bone of the thigh. Sometimes over against this, but oftner a little below, yet of the inside another is brought forth, called Muscula cruralis interna, the inner muscle-artery [unspec 2] of the Crus, [ν] which is distributed in many branches through the third bending Muscle of the thigh, cal••ed Triceps, and those on the inside of the thigh, as far as the knee; the ends of which branches are joyned with the end of the inner Iliacal Artery, which we told you descends through the hole of the share-bones to the Crus. These propagati∣ons being dispatcht away, the crural trunk descends from the groin, together with the crural vein; and is so bent backward near to the bone of the thigh, that when it is come to the ham, it stands betwixt the two hindmost heads of the thigh. For prudent nature does alwaies observe this, to carry down the vessels about that side of the joint where the bending is, lest if they should go on that side whereon the joint is extended, they should be comprest. But in the very mid-way as it were, as it runs down through the [unspec 3] thigh, it sends out a propagation [π] which breaking into more surcles runs out through the Muscles that are seated on the backside of the thigh, together with the ham-vein; and at length descending through the ham (whence it is called Poplitea the ham-artery) is di∣stributed with many sprigs into the calf of the leg. But whilst it stayes in the ham, it sends [unspec 4] out a propagati••n [ρρ] on each side, to the sides of the joint of the knee, which then sinking deeper, are consumed partly in the joint it self, partly upon the Muscles called gasteromenii that make the calf; from whence they are called Surales, the arteries of the calf.
After that the Crural Trunk lyes in the ham [Υ], it sends forth a propagation from its out side [σ] which runs down near to the Fibula or lesser bone of the leg, and is hid betwixt the Muscle that moves the foot outward, and the second bending Muscle of the instep, and distributes it self into the rest, that lye on the forepart of the leg, as far as they are fleshy, and till they begin to be contorted by the outer ankle. A little under this same another artery [τ] is brought forth out of the backside of the Trunk, which runs down as far as to the mixing together of the tendons of the calf-muscles. Then another [υ] issues out of the same back-side of the Trunk, but under the second, which descending and passing through the transverse ligament, runs down by the top of the foot, and is diffused into the Muscles that move the toes outward. The remainder [Γ] of the trunk is carri••d down∣ward by the backside of the leg, and about the inner ankle offers a surcle [φ] to the foot, which goes to the Muscle of the great toe, and creeps through the top of the foot. But the Trunk it self lying hid among the ten••ons of the Muscles of the toes is cut [χ] into two branches; of which the inner [ψ] bestowes two surcles upon the great toe; two upon the fore toe, and one upon the middle; the outer [ω] two upon the little toe, and two upon the toes next to it, on the lowerside But although the progress of the arteries be for the most part such, as we have described, yet what we have said formerly of the veins, that their distribution varies much, not only according to the diversity of bodies, but also of sides in the body of the same man, is true also of the arteries, which in divers men are di∣versly distributed.