290 ANATOMY OF THE RABBIT 



moved from about the articular capsules and the structures 

 examined as follows: 



A. The hip-joint (articulatio coxae) is an enarthrosis, formed 

 by the head of the femur with the parts of the ischium, ilium, and 

 the OS acetabuli enclosing the acetabulum, together with the 

 articular capsule (capsula articularis) and accessory ligaments. 



The articular capsule extends from the acetabular margin to the 

 proximal end of the neck of the femur. It is strongest on its dorsal 

 side, but is especially thickened at three points, forming the ischio- 

 capsular (dorsal), iliofemoral (anterior), and pubocapsular (ven- 

 tral) ligaments. 



By dividing the capsule, the contents of the joint and the smooth 

 articular surfaces may be examined ; also the attachment of the head 

 of the femur to the wall of the acetabular fossa through the round 

 ligament (lig. teres femoris). The glenoid lip (labrum glenoidale) 

 is the ring of fibrocartilage surrounding the margin of the acetabu- 

 lum and connecting with the articular capsule. 



B. The knee-joint (articulatio genu) is a hinge-joint or gin- 

 glymus with a slight spiral trend. It is formed by the articular 

 surfaces of the medial and lateral condyles of the femur and tibia, 

 with the associated articular capsule, ligaments, and interarticular 

 fibrocartilages (see section, Fig. 27). 



The tibial collateral ligament (lig. collaterale tibiale) is a stout 

 band of connective tissue stretching from the medial condyle of the 

 femur to the posteromedial angle of the medial condyle of the tibia. 



The fibular collateral ligament is a similar structure connecting 

 the lateral condyle of the femur with the anterior surface of the 

 head of the fibula. 



The sesamoid bones of the popliteal region have articular sur- 

 faces taking part in the formation of the joint. That on the medial 

 condyle of the femur is contained in the medial head of the gastro- 

 cnemius, that on the lateral condyle of this bone in the lateral head 

 of the gastrocnemius and the plantaris, and that on the lateral 

 tibial condyle in the popliteus. 



The common tendon of the quadriceps femoris, the patella, and 

 the patellar ligament are associated with the capsule, forming the 

 anterior wall of the joint, and a pad of soft fat underlies the patellar 



