ANTERIOR FEMORAL REGION. 255 



it, the lower part of the capsule of the hip-joint and the quadratus 

 femoris. 



The QUADRATUS FEMORIS (square- shaped) arises from the external 

 border of the tuberosity of the ischium, and is inserted into a rough 

 line on the posterior border of the trochanter major, which is thence 

 named linea quadrati. 



Relations. By its posterior surface with the gluteus maximus, and 

 ischiatic vessels and nerves. By its anterior surface with the tendon 

 of the obturator externus and trochanter minor, a synovial bursa often 

 separating it from the latter. By its upper border with the gemellus 

 inferior ; and by the lower border with the adductor magnus. 



Actions. The glutei muscles are abductors of the thigh, when 

 they take their fixed point from the pelvis. Taking their fixed point 

 from the thigh, they steady the pelvis on the head of the femur; this 

 action is peculiarly obvious in standing on one leg ; they assist also in 

 carrying the leg forward, in progression. The gluteus minimus being 

 attached to the anterior border of the trochanter major, rotates the 

 limb slightly inwards. The gluteus medius and maximus, from their 

 insertion into the posterior aspect of the bone, rotate the limb out- 

 wards ; the latter is, moreover, a tensor of the fascia of the thigh. 

 The other muscles rotate the limb outwards, everting the knee and 

 foot ; hence they are named external rotators. 



Anterior Femoral Region* 



Tensor vaginae femoris, 



Sartorius, 



Rectus, 



Vastus internus, 



Vastus externus, 



Crureus. 



Dissection. Make an incision along the line of Poupart's ligament, 

 from the anterior superior spinous process of the ilium to the spine of 

 the os pubis; and a second, from the middle of the preceding down the 

 inner side of the thigh, and across the inner condyle of the femur, to 

 the head of the tibia, where it may be bounded by a transverse in- 

 cision. Turn back the integument from the whole of this region, and 

 examine the superficial fascia ; which is next to be removed in the 

 same manner. After the deep fascia has been well considered, it is 

 likewise to be removed, by dissecting it off in the course of the fibres 

 of the muscles. As it might not be convenient to the junior student 

 to expose so large a surface at once as ordered in this dissection, the 

 vertical incision may be crossed by one or two transverse incisions, as 

 may be deemed most proper. 



The TENSOR VAGINAE FEMORIS (stretcher of the sheath of the 

 thigh) is a short flat muscle, situated on the outer side of the hip. It 

 arises from the crest of the ilium, near its anterior superior spinous 



