FASCIA OF THIGH. 437 



neither is its character so well marked. It is there, in some 

 measure, continuous with the perineal fascia. In Front, it ad- 

 heres very closely to the inferior margin of the tendon of the 

 external oblique muscle, so as to be almost continuous with it, 

 from the anterior superior spinous process of the ilium to the 

 pubes. 



From these several connexions at the pelvis, the fascia femo- 

 ris descends in enveloping the muscles of the thigh, and then 

 forms other strong attachments about the knee, to the condyles 

 of the os femoris and to the head of the tibia. In front, it ad- 

 heres very closely to, and is almost blended into the common 

 tendon of the extensor muscles; it adheres, also, to the inferior 

 margins of (he two vasti, and is one and the same with the 

 membranous expansion (Invohicrum) going from them to the 

 head of the tibia, and answering the purpose of capsular liga- 

 ment to the articulation of the knee, on each side of the patella, 

 as far back as the lateral ligaments. Behind, it covers up the 

 fat in the ham, and is continued into the fascia of the leg. 



The fascia femoris, almost every where, consists in a fibrous 

 texture, which is sufficiently evident, but the fibres pass in very 

 various directions. At many places, particularly on the inter- 

 nal side of the thigh, there are oblique fibres spread upon a la- 

 mina which is not fibrous. On the outside of the thigh, the fas- 

 cia consists principally in longitudinal fibres, held together by 

 transverse ones; and when its interior surface is examined, 

 many oblique fibres are also found there. It is very thick and 

 strong externally, thinner behind ; and still weaker internally, 

 where cellular substance seems to predominate in its composi- 

 tion. It is pierced at several points with small round holes for 

 the passing of blood vessels and of the cutaneous nerves. 



From the interior surface of the Fascia Femoris, partitions 

 pass off, which separate the muscles of the thigh from each 

 other, and form sheaths for them. Some of these processes are 

 merely cellular substance; others have a more distinct desmoid 

 character. Externally, as it passes from the gluteus medius to 

 the groin, it separates into two lamina?, which receive between 

 them the tensor vaginae femoris, and then reunite. The sarto- 

 rius muscle, in almost its whole length, is also enclosed between 

 two laminae. At the origin of this muscle, the posterior lami- 

 na passes on to the iiiacus internus, and psoas magnus muscles, 



37* 



