

FASCIA OF THE PELVIS. 675 



inserted into the lower part of the fossa, at the root of the 

 great trochanter. 



Function. To rotate the thigh outward. 



The Quadratics Femoris (Fig. 212) is situated lower 

 down than the other rotators, and arises from the external 

 surface of the tuber ischii fleshy and tendinous. 



Its fibres run transversely, and are inserted fleshy and 

 tendinous into the back part of the great trochanter and 

 intertrochanteric line. A bursa is found between this 

 muscle and the little trochanter. 



Function. To rotate the thigh outward. 



The psoas muscles and iliacus internus are noticed in 

 another place. 



SECTION IV. 

 FASCIA OF THE PELVIS. 



The pelvic fascia is regarded as a continuation of the 

 iliac, which descends into the pelvis from the brim, to 

 which it is attached, to about midway its depth, where 

 it divides into two laminae, the superior pelvic aponeurosis 

 or vesical fascia, and the lateral pelvic aponeurosis or obtu- 

 rator fascia. 



The superior or vesical fascia is seen by removing the 

 peritoneum, when it will be found to line the inner surface 

 of the levator ani muscle, and to assist in closing the pelvis, 

 fixing its several viscera, and resisting pressure from the 

 abdominal muscles. It is reflected from the inferior edge 

 of the symphysis pubis upon the neck of the bladder and 

 prostate gland, constituting the anterior true ligaments of 

 the bladder. Upon this organ it is reflected laterally, 

 forming its lateral ligaments. Posteriorly it becomes thin 

 and cellular, and is lost upon the sacrum. Mr. Tyrrell 

 notices a reflection of this fascia between the bladder and 

 rectum, which he terms recto-vesical. Another process, the 

 rectal fascia^ descends, and covers the lower part of the 

 rectum behind and laterally. This latter fascia, with the 

 recto-vesical in front, forms a complete aponeurotic invest- 

 ment for the lower portion of the rectum. 



