436 FASCIA, 



It is inserted, tendinous, into the ulnar side of the first pha- 

 lanx of the ring finger. 



It draws the ring towards the little finger. 



CHAPTER IV. 



OP THE FASCIAE AND MUSCLES OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES. 

 SECT. I. OF THE FASCIJE. 



THE muscles of the lower extremity, from the pelvis to the 

 foot inclusively, are invested by a strong aponeurotic mem- 

 brane, placed immediately beneath the skin or common integu- 

 ments. Its external face is in contact with the superficial 

 nerves and blood vessels, and the internal face with the muscles. 

 Though it is absolutely continuous from one end to the other, 

 it will be useful, for study, to divide it into three parts; the one 

 covering the thigh, the second covering the leg, and the third 

 covering the foot; as each of them presents certain points of 

 arrangement, which could not be very conveniently introduced 

 into a general description. 



1. The aponeurosis of the thigh (Fascia Lata Femoris) begins 

 posteriorly, from the upper part of the gluteus magnus mus- 

 cle, by a very gradual conversion of the cellular membrane of 

 the part into desmoid substance; it also begins in the way of 

 cellular substance from the margin of the sacrum and os coc- 

 cygis. The character here is seldom clearly aponeurotic till it 

 gets on a level with the tendon of the gluteus magnus, from 

 which emanate a great many of its fibres. Externally, it arises 

 from the whole length of the crista of the ilium, is there, striking- 

 ly aponeurotic, and is closely adherent to the gluteus medius 

 muscle, many of whose fibres arise from it. It also arises from 

 the body and rami of the pubes, and from the tuber and ramus 

 of the ischium. Its attachment at the latter is not very strong* 



