ANTERIOR FEMORAL REGION. 227 



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 loiver 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 outwards; 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 trans- 

 verse incision. Turn back the integument from the whole of this 

 region, and examine the superficial fascia ; which is next to be re- 

 moved 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 vagince 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 to its anterior superior spinous pro- 

 cess, and is inserted between two layers of the fascia lata at about 

 one-fourth down the thigh. 



Relations. By its superficial surface with the fascia lata and in- 

 tegument. By its deep surface with the internal layer of the fascia 



