INTERNAL FEMORAL REGION. 231 



separated by the anterior layer of the aponeurosis of the transver- 

 salis, and with the crural nerve, which near Poupart's ligament gets 

 to its outer side. The lumbar plexus of nerves is situated in the 

 substance of the posterior part of the muscle. In the thigh the. 

 muscle is in relation with the fascia lata in front ; the border* of the 

 pelvis and hip-joint, from which it is separated by the synovial mem- 

 brane, common to it and the preceding muscle, behind ; with the 

 crural nerve, and iliacus to the outer side ; and with the femoral 

 artery, by which it is slightly overlapped to the inner side. 



The Pectineus is a flat and quadrangular muscle ; it arises from 

 the pectineal line (pecten, a crust) of the os pubis, and is inserted 

 into the line leading from the anterior inter-trochanteric line to the 

 linea aspera of the femur. 



Relations. By its anterior surface with the pubic portion of the 

 fascia lata, which separates it from the femoral artery and vein and 

 internal saphenous nerve, and lower down with the profunda artery. 

 By its posterior surface with the capsule of the hip-joint, and with the 

 obturator externus and adductor brevis, the obturator vessels being 

 interposed. By its external border with the psoas, the femoral artery 

 resting upon the line of interval. By its internal border with the 

 outer edge of the adductor longus. Obturator hernia is situated 

 directly behind this muscle, which forms one of its coverings. 



The Adducto/r longus (adducere, to draw to), the most superficial 

 of the three adductors, arises by a round and thick tendon from the 

 angle of the os pubis ; and, assuming a flattened form, is inserted 

 into the middle third of the linea aspera. 



Relations. By its anterior surface with the pubic portion of the 

 fascia lata, and near its insertion with the femoral artery and vein. 

 By its posterior surface with the adductor brevis and magnus, the 

 anterior branches of the obturator vessels and nerves, and near its 

 insertion with the profunda artery and vein. By its outer border 

 with the pectineus, and by the inner border with the gracilis. 



The pectineus must be divided near its origin and turned out- 

 wards, and the adductor longus through its middle, turning its ends 

 to either side, to bring into view the adductor brevis. 



The Adductor brevis, placed beneath the pectineus and adductor 

 longus, is fleshy, and thicker than the adductor longus; it arises 

 from the body and ramus of the os pubis, and is inserted into the 

 upper third of the linea aspera. 



Relations. By its anterior surface with the pectineus, adductor 

 longus, and anterior branches of the obturator vessels and nerve. 

 By its posterior surface with the adductor magnus, and posterior 

 branches of the obturator vessels and nerve. By its outer border 

 with the obturator externus, and conjoined tendon of the psoas and 

 iliacus. By its inner border with the gracilis and adductor magnus. 

 The adductor brevis is pierced near its insertion by the middle per- 

 forating artery. 



The adductor brevis may now be divided from its origin and 

 turned outwards, or its inner two-thirds may be cut away entirely, 



