This specimen is a left foot with superficial structures exposed on the dorsum, and the superficial layer of muscles and nerves on the plantar surface.
The anterior portion of the plantar aponeurosis has largely been removed to expose the first layer of muscles. A small portion of the lateral band of the plantar aponeurosis is preserved with the attachment to the fourth metatarsal visible. The flexor digitorum brevis muscle and tendons overlie the flexor digitorum longus tendon, although both the divisions of the tendon and the lumbricals muscles are visible approaching the flexor sheaths.
The superficial branches of the medial and lateral plantar nerves radiate from the margins of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle, and can be seen dividing into the common and proper plantar digital branches. At the margins of the plantar dissection, both the abductors and flexors of the hallux and fifth digit are exposed, with both medial and lateral heads of the flexor hallucis brevis inserting into prominent sesamoids on either side of the flexor hallucis longus tendon.
On the dorsum, a window of skin has been removed to expose the dorsal fascia of the foot and underlying tendons from the anterior compartment of the leg. The dorsal fascia has been removed over the lateral metatarsals to expose the extensor hallucis brevis, the tendons of the extensor digitorum longus and brevis, and the dorsal interosseous muscles.
At the proximal end of the specimen, the distal tibia and fibula are visible joined by the interosseous membrane. The tendons and muscles of the leg compartment muscles are visible, including the tendocalcaneous. Both the anterior and posterior tibial arteries (with accompanying veins) are visible in cross-section, as are the superficial fibular nerve and tibial nerve.
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