ARTICULATIONS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES. 301 



just above the trochanter minor. It is strengthened in several 

 places by processes from the fascia lata femoris, which descend 

 to it between the muscles surrounding the hip joint.* Its thick- 

 ness is considerable, but variable. In front, and above, it is 

 remarkably strong, is two or three lines thick, where it is re- 

 enforced by a large fasciculus of fibres coming from the ante- 

 rior inferior spinous process of the ilium, and descending, lon- 

 gitudinally, to the anterior oblique ridge of the os femoris. 

 The internal and posterior portions of the orbicular or capsular 

 ligament are not so thick; it is, indeed, very thin near the pos- 

 terior ridge of the os femoris, not more than half a line, and 

 has a number of holes in it for the passage of vessels. It is 

 strengthened, internally, by some fibres coming from the supe- 

 rior margin of the thyroid foramen. 



This capsular ligament keeps the bones closely applied (o 

 each other, and is by no means so loose as the corresponding 

 one of the shoulder joint. Its fibres are very irregular, gene- 

 rally, in their course, and difficult to follow. 



The strength of this articulation depends principally on the 

 muscles which surround it, of which the rectus femoris, and 

 the iliacus internus and psoas magnus united, are in front; be- 

 tween the latter two and the capsule, is a bursa mucosa. 

 Within, are the pectineus and the obturator externus; behind, 

 are the quad rat us, the gemini, the obturator internus, and the 

 pyramidalis; above and behind, are the glutei. 



The Synovial Membrane is a complete sac, displayed over 

 the articular surfaces of the bones, and the internal face of the 



* Scemmerinor, De Corp. Hum. Fabrica, vol. ii. p. 61, 1794. Andrew Fyfe, 

 Compendium of Anat. Philad. 1807, vol. i. p. 179. 



For an interesting account of the connexion of this capsule witli the fascia fe- 

 moris, sec Anatomical Investigations, by J. D. Godman, M. D., Philad. 1824. 

 The author, in following the sheaths of the muscles, or, in other words, the pro- 

 cesses of the fascia lata, between the muscles, to the capsule, with great attention, 

 has been brought to the conclusion that tiro capsule is formed entirely from them, 

 He has presented the same views in regard to the shoulder joint, and others 

 Though not disposed to concur in so general an inference on the source of cap- 

 sular ligaments, inasmuch as their peculiar texture is opposed to it, and many 

 other circumstances in their anatomical arrangement, I have yet to express 

 great satisfaction in the fidelity with which these connexions of the larger joints 

 have been traced. 

 VOL. I. 26 



