146 



POSTERIOR TIBIAL. 



Circumflex ilii arises from the external iliac, opposite the epigas- 

 tric, and ascends obliquely until it reaches the crest of the ilium, 

 where it supplies the muscles of the loins and abdomen. The last two 

 arteries anastomose freely with the internal mammary and lumbar 

 arteries. 



FEMORAL. 



This artery commences at Poupart's ligament, being a continua- 

 tion of the external iliac. It passes down the inner side of the thigh, 

 and perforating the tendon of the adductor magnus muscle, becomes 

 the popliteal. Its upper third is superficial, and upon the outer side 

 of the femoral vein. Its lower two-thirds are covered by the sar- 

 torius muscle. 



Superficial artery of the abdomen,^ arises from the femoral, just 

 below Poupart's ligament, and ascends obliquely upon the integuments 

 on the lower portion of the abdomen. It may be cut in the opera- 

 tion for inguinal hernia. 



External pudics^^ — These are several branches, arising from the 

 upper part of the femoral, and distributed to the integuments. 



Profimda^'^ is almost as large as the femoral, from whence it 

 arises at about two inches below Poupart's ligament. 



External circum-fiex is a branch of the profunda, and passes out- 

 wards to supply the upper part of the muscles of the thigh. 



Internal circum-fiex^ is larger than the external, and supplies the 

 muscles upon the inner side of the thigh, and gives off a perforating 

 artery. The perforating arteries are branches of the internal 

 circumflex and profunda, which supply the muscles upon the back 

 of the thigh. 



A^iastomotic^^^ ^ arises from the femoral, above its perforation of 

 the adductor tendon, and anastomoses with the articular arteries of 

 the knee. 



POPLITEAL. 



This artery is a continuation of the femoral, and extends from the 

 perforation in the adductor tendon, to its division into the anterior 

 and posterior tibial below the knee. (Fig. 128.) 



Superior articular.^ — These are two in number, one internal and 

 one external, given off above th^ condyles, anastomosing with each 

 other and the anastomotic artery. 



Inferior articular. — These are also external and internal, and 

 supply the knee-joint below the head of the tibia. 



Middle articular. — Is small, and perforates the ligament of 

 Winslow, to supply the interior of the joint. 



Gemellar. — These supply the heads of the gastrocnemius muscle. 



