770 FASCIA OP THE INFERIOR EXTREMITY. 



The superficial is a continuation of the same loose mem- 

 brane covering the abdomen. As it passes over Poupart's 

 ligament, it becomes more closely connected with the deep 

 layer. Upon the thigh it can be separated into two layers, 

 enclosing the lymphatic glands of the groin, adipose matter, 

 and superficial vessels and nerves. It can be traced inward 

 to the symphysis pubis, and backward over the gluteal 

 muscles. In the groin it has a close connection with the 

 fascia-lata. 



The/ascta lata or femoral aponeurosis completely invests 

 the thigh, not only surrounding all its muscles, but sending 

 partitions within so as to form separate sheaths for each. 



It extends from the pelvis above, where it is continuous 

 with the iliac and perineal fascia, to the knee below, where 

 it is traced into the fascia of the leg. 



Above it is connected anteriorly and externally to Pou- 

 part's ligament and the crest of the ilium, internally to 

 the raini of the pubis and ischiuin, and posteriorly to the 

 sacrum and coccyx ; below it surrounds the knee-joint, and 

 is attached to the condyles. This fascia is very strong, but 

 varies in strength and density at different points. On the 

 gluteus maximus it is thin and weak ; on the gluteus 

 medius it is very thick and strong ; on the outer side of 

 the thigh it is much thicker and stronger than on the 

 inner. It has been stated that the fascia lata surrounds 

 and forms separate sheaths for the muscles by the various 

 processes it sends off. It is connected to the linea-aspera, 

 and by its processes affords attachment to several muscles. 

 It presents many foramina on its surface, which give pas- 

 sage to vessels and nerves. One large opening is especially 

 noticed in it, about two inches below Poupart's ligament, 

 for the internal saphena vein. 



This saphenic opening becomes the dividing point of the 

 fascia lata into two portions. All on its outside being called 

 the iliac, and all on its inside the pubic portion of the fascia 

 lata. The iliac portion is attached to Poupart's ligament, 

 and goes in front of the femoral vessels in the form of a 

 crescent, and is hence called the crescentic or falciform pro- 



