62 



ANATOMY OF THE RABBIT 



marily, it is a tensor of the lateral fascia (which is a thin tendon- 

 ous sheath covering most of the vastus lateraUs m., 42a) but 

 also helps to extend the leg since it functions with the quadriceps 

 (42). The craniomedial portion of the tensor m. (35) is usually 



Caudal Side 



Fig. 21, — Cross section through proximal third of right thigh. ALB, adduc- 

 tors longus and brevis; AM, adductor magnus; BL, biceps, long head; BS, 

 biceps, short head; C, crureus m.; F, femur; FL, fascia lata; FA, femoral a.; 

 FV, femoral v.; G, gracilis m.; R, rectus femoris; S, sciatic n.; SA, sartorius m.; 

 SM, semimembranosus; ST, semitendinosus; T, tenuissimus m.; TFL, tensor 

 fasciae latae m.; VI, vastus intermedius m.; VL, vastus lateralis m.; VM, vastus 

 medialis. 



more or less fused with the gluteus medius and vastus lateralis 

 (42a) muscles. Method: A Y-shaped incision is necessary to 

 give access to the quadriceps femoris (42) and gluteus maximus 

 (36) muscles. Make a small opening in the fascia lata just 

 above the knee, insert the grooved director and, after exploring 

 the fascia lata, push the grooved director dorsad until it meets 



