2. =Muscular branches= (Rami musculares) to the popliteus and deep
flexor.
3. The =external tarsal artery= (A. tarsea lateralis) arises at the
distal end of the leg and is distributed to the outer surface of the
hock. It gives off a small recurrent branch which ascends along the
external border of the gastrocnemius tendon and anastomoses with a
branch of the posterior femoral artery.
4. The =recurrent tibial artery= (A. tibialis recurrens) is given off
from the second part of the curve, ascends in relation to the tibial
nerve, and anastomoses with the descending branch of the posterior
femoral and with the saphenous artery.