The alligator and its alliesReese, A. M. (Albert Moore)
Science
The alligator and its allies
Reese, A. M. (Albert Moore)
Alligators
_Gastrocnemius_ (Plate III., Figs. 1 and 3, cap. int. gastr., Plate
IV., Fig. 4, cap. int. gastr. and cap. ext. gastr., Plate V., Figs. 2
and 3, cap. ext. gastr. and cap. int. gastr.) (Solenmuskel, Outer head
of gastrocnemius). This is the strongest superficial flexor muscle on
the posterior surface of the lower leg; it consists of two heads: I.
The caput femorale (externum) originates by a strong, short tendon from
the lateral and posterior surface of the external condyle of the femur.
This head has a double insertion: (1) from the outer, fibular border of
the muscle separates off a tendon that spreads out in the first layer
of the plantar tendon-muscle; (2) the chief part of caput I. becomes
a broad, flat, subcutaneous tendon which is covered by the tendon
Achilles and serves as the origin of the short flexors of the toes.
II. The caput tibiale (internum) springs without a tendon from the
posterior surface of the head and the proximal third of the tibia. The
broad and somewhat flat muscle has two insertions: (1) on the plantar
and medial border of the first basis metatarsi; (2) the chief insertion
on the outer border of the rudimentary fifth toe, after forming, with
the tendon of the flexor tibialis externus, the tendon Achilles.
_Flexor Longus Digitorum_ (Plate IV., Fig. 4) (Langer durchbohrender
gemeinschaftlicher Zehenbeuger). A many-headed muscle visible on
the posterior side of the lower leg after removal of the preceding
muscle. (a) Caput externum: a flat, fairly broad muscle which springs
from the outer and posterior surface of the fibula. Arriving at the
astragalo-scaphoid bone, it forms a very strong tendon which unites
with the still stronger tendon of the other head and both together
form the broad initial tendon of the flexor digitorum communis brevis
muscle. (b) Caput internum: this springs without a tendon from the
whole posterior surface of the upper half of the tibia, sometimes, as
in crocodiles, uniting with the caput femoralis of the gastrocnemius
muscle. The common tendon splits into three points for the first,
second, and third toes.
_Tibialis Posticus_ (Plate V., Fig. 2, tib. post.) (Jambier postérieur,
Hinterer Schienbeinmuskel). Originates without tendon from the whole
fibular side of the tibia, on the one hand, and from the whole inner
and forward side of the fibula on the other hand, occupying the
whole space between these two bones on the hinder side of the lower
leg. At its proximal end it is united with the caput internum of the
preceding muscle which completely covers it from behind. It narrows
down to a very strong tendon which divides into two equally strong,
round tendons; of these the one on the tibial side is inserted on the
basis ossis of the first metacarpal, the one towards the fibula goes
immediately to the second metacarpal.
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