3 FASCLZ AND MUSCLES OF THE THIGH AND BUTTOCK. 337 
In the buttock the superficial fascia is of considerable thickness, and usually 
loaded with fat, whereby it assists in forming the contour of the buttock and the 
fold of the nates. 
In the groin it is divisible into two layers: a superficial fatty layer, continuous 
with a similar layer on the front of the abdominal wall above, and over the 
perineum internally, and a deeper membranous layer, which is attached above to 
the inner half of Poupart’s ligament, and to the deep fascia of the thigh just below 
the outer half of that ligament. Internally it is attached to the pubic arch, and 
‘below the level of Scarpa’s triangle it blends inseparably with the superficial 
fatty layer. The ° 
separation of these 
two layers of the 
superficial fascia 
is occasioned by 
the presence be- eS 
tween them of the 
femoral and in- 
ouinal lymphatic Superficial circumflex iliac vessels 
; glands, the inter- Inguinal lymphatic glands 
nal saphenous vein Deep layer of superficial fascia 
and its tributaries, Femoral lymphatic glands 
and some small 
arteries. The at- Genito-crural nerve 
tachment of the Superficial layer of 
deeper layer of the superficial fascia 
fascia to the pubic 
arch and Poupart’s 
ligament cuts off 
the superficial 
tissues of the thigh 
from the perineum 
and the anterior 
abdominal wall, 
and prevents the 
passage down the thigh of fluid collected in the perineum or beneath the fascia of 
the anterior abdominal wall. 
The deep fascia or fascia lata forms a tubular investment for the muscles and 
vessels of the thigh and buttock. It is firmly attached above to the iliac crest, the 
great sacro-sciatic ligament, the ischium, the pubic arch, the pubic symphysis and 
crest, and Poupart’s ligament. Below, in relation to the knee, it is continuous 
with the deep fascia of the leg, gains attachment to the patella, the tuberosities of 
the tibia and the head of the fibula, and forms the lateral ligaments of the patella. 
| On the front of the thigh the deep fascia is thick and strong. It is pierced 
by numerous openings for vessels and nerves, the most important of which is 
the saphenous opening for the internal saphenous vein. A femoral hernia passes 
through this opening to reach the anterior abdominal wall. It is an oval opening 
| of variable size situated just below the inner half of Poupart’s ligament, and 
immediately in front of the femoral vessels. It is covered by the superficial 
fascia, and by a special layer of fascia, the cribriform fascia, a thin perforated 
Deep layer of 
superficial fascia 
Superticial 
epigastric vessels 
Superficial layer of 
superficial fascia 
Superior external 
—pudic vessels 
Tlio-inguinal nerve 
Spermatic cord 
Internal saphenous vein 
Fia. 248.—'nHrE GROIN. STRUCTURES BETWEEN THE LAYERS OF THE 
SUPERFICIAL FASCIA. 
lamina, attached to the margins of the opening. The outer edge of the opening is 
_ formed by the margin of the iliac portion of the fascia lata which is attached 
_ above to the iliac crest and Poupart’s ligament; the inner edge is formed by the 
margin of the pubic portion of the fascia lata, which is continued upwards 
behind the femoral sheath, over the adductor longus and pectineus muscles to 
_ the ilio pectineal line and the capsule of the hip-joint. These two layers of the 
- fascia Jata are continuous at the lower concave margin of the saphenous opening, 
forming its inferior cornu. As they pass upwards towards the pelvis they occupy 
different planes, the iliac portion being in front of the femoral sheath, the pubic 
portion of the fascia behind it. The superior cornu of the saphenous opening, placed 
22 
