308 SKELETON. 



liteus muscle covers them. This joint is also strengthened by 

 other ligamentous fibres, and by the insertion of the tendon of 

 the biceps. 



The synovial membrane is reflected over the articular faces 

 and the ligaments described, and has nothing of particular inte- 

 rest in it. Occasionally, the synovial membrane of the knee 

 joint runs into it. 



2. The Inferior Articulation, which is formed between the 

 lower extremities of the bones, is not incrusted by cartilage, ex- 

 cept to the breadth of a line at its lower part, bordering on the 

 ankle joint. 



Its anterior ligament is broad, and covers the face of the 

 bones which are in apposition. Attached by the one side to 

 the front of the lower extremity of the fibula, its fibres pass ob- 

 liquely upwards and inwards, to be inserted into the correspond- 

 ing part of the tibia. Several interstices exist in it for the pas- 

 sage of vessels, and it is covered by the peroneus tertius. Its 

 lower margin is in contact with the astragalus, and forms a por- 

 tion of the ankle joint. 



The posterior ligament, in the arrangement and course of its 

 fibres, corresponds with the anterior; being attached by one side 

 to the posterior face of the fibula, and by the other to the cor- 

 responding part of the tibia. Like the other, its fibres are longer 

 near the ankle joint than above. Its lower margin is in contact 

 with the astragalus, and is connected with other ligaments 

 coming from the fibula. 



In the space between the anterior and the posterior ligament, 

 where the bones touch, they are agglutinated by a short, strong, 

 fibrous tissue, leaving intervals occupied by adipose matter. It 

 contributes much to the solidity and immobility of this articula- 

 tion. 



3. The Interosseous Ligament (Membrana Inlerossea,) is ana- 

 logous to that in the fore arm, by being a membrnne stretched 

 between the two bones. It arises from the ridge on the outer 

 face of the tibia, and is attached to the corresponding ridge on 

 the inner face of the fibula. It is broader above than below, 

 being at the latter point continuous with the fibrous structure 

 \yhich agglutinates the bones. Just below the head of the fibula 



