THE ANTERIOR FEMORAL MUSCLES 



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tores and Pectineus. Besides these there are numerous smaller septa, separating 

 the individual muscles, and enclosing each in a distinct sheath. 



The Fossa Ovalis (saphenous opening) (Fig. 431). At the upper and medial 

 part of the thigh, a little below the medial end of the inguinal ligament, is a large 

 oval-shaped aperture in the fascia lata; it transmits the great saphenous vein, 

 and other, smaller vessels, and is termed the fossa ovalis. The fascia cribrosa, 

 which is pierced by the structures passing through the opening, closes the aperture 

 and must be removed to expose it. The fascia lata in this part of the thigh is 

 described as consisting of a superficial and a deep portion. 



Fid. 431. The fossa ovalia. 



The superficial portion of the fascia lata is the part on the lateral side of the fossa 

 ovalis. It is attached, laterally, to the crest and anterior superior spine of the ilium, 

 to the whole length of the inguinal ligament, and to the pectineal line in con- 

 junction with the lacunar ligament. From the tubercle of the pubis it is reflected 

 downward and lateralward, as an arched margin, the falciform margin, forming 

 the lateral boundary of the fossa ovalis; this margin overlies and is adherent to the 

 anterior layer of the sheath of the femoral vessels : to its edge is attached the fascia 

 cribrosa. The upward and medial prolongation of the falciform margin is named 

 the superior cornu ; its downward and medial prolongation, the inferior cornu. The 

 latter is well-defined, and is continuous behind the great saphenous vein with the 

 pectineal fascia* 



The deep portion is situated on the medial side of the fossa ovalis, and at the 

 lower margin of the fossa is continuous with the superficial portion; traced upward, 



