FASCIA OF THE INFERIOR EXTREMITY. 



cess. The pubic portion is connected to the spine and linea 

 innominata of the pubis, goes behind the femoral vessels, 

 and is continuous with the fascia iliaca. Between and 

 connected to the margins of the falciform, pubic, and iliac 

 portions of the fascia lata, a thin membrane, having many 

 foramina for the passage of vessels, is seen, called cribri- 

 form fascia. The fascia lata is distinctly double at some 

 points, as for instance where it receives the insertion of the 

 tensor vaginae femoris muscle between its two layers. 



The fascia of the leg is continuous, as stated, with the 

 fascia lata. It is strongly attached to the head of the tibia 

 and fibula, to the spine of the tibia, to the external and 

 internal malleolus, and at the ankle-joint thickens, to form 

 the annular ligaments. It also surrounds, and at its upper 

 portion sends processes between the muscles, called inter- 

 muscular septa. On the anterior leg it is thicker than 

 behind, and in front of the ankle joint it forms the anterior 

 annular ligament, which is about an inch and a half broad. 

 It is attached to the os calcis on its outer side; whence it 

 spreads forward, and to the inner side, where it presents 

 two bands, one going to the internal malleolus, the other 

 to the naviculare, and the plantar fascia. The extensor 

 tendons pass beneath this ligament, having distinct sheaths 

 with bursa3. Posteriorly the fascia is thinner and double. 

 Its strength is however increased by fibres from the ham- 

 string tendons. Its superficial layer is immediately beneath 

 the skin. Its deep layer is situated between the tibia and 

 fibula, and is called the intermuscular fascia. At the ankle 

 joint the posterior fascia of the leg, its superficial portion, 

 becomes thickened to form the external and internal annular 

 ligaments. The former stretches from the outer malleolus 

 to the os-calcis, and binds down the peroneal tendons ; the 

 latter goes from the internal malleolus, to the tuberosity 

 and side of the calcis. This is a strong ligament and gives 

 passage and protection to the flexor tendons and vessels. 



The/a,sc^a upon the dorsum of the foot is continued from 

 the anterior annular ligament, and forms only a thin layer. 



The plantar fascia (aponeurosis plantaris) is a very thick. 



