FASCIA OF LEG. 439 



thigh be drawn upwards. Valuable indications for the mode of 

 replacing a prolapsed bowel are thus obtained. 



In addition to this arrangement, which is all-important in 

 hernia, the fascia femoris has the following. On the front of 

 the thigh it simply covers the extensor muscles, the partitions 

 between which are cellular substance. On the inner side it 

 dips down to the periosteum between the adductor muscles, but 

 is still cellular. Behind, it covers the ham-string muscles, and 

 sends down to the linea aspera a thick fibrous partition be- 

 tween the vastus externus and the biceps flexor. 



The superior margin of the glutens magnus is inserted into 

 this fascia, which from its connexion with the gluteus medius 

 ahd tensor vaginae femoris, causes all these muscles to exercise 

 a mutual influence, as well as to keep tense the fascia itself. 

 On the internal semi-circumference of the thigh it adheres 

 somewhat closely to the muscles; but on the external, where 

 the fascia is opposed to the tendinous facing of the vastus ex- 

 ternus muscle, it is connected by a long, loose, and scattered 

 cellular substance, which scarcely presents an obstacle to the 

 introduction of the finger or any blunt instrument between the 

 two. 



2. The Fascia Cruralis, or that of the Leg, though absolutely 

 continuous with that of the thigh, may be described as arising 

 externally, from the head of the fibula and from a prolongation 

 of the biceps flexor cruris; internally from prolongations of the 

 tendons of the sartorius, the gracilis, and the semi-tendinosus. 

 It, in descending, covers all the superficial muscles of the leg, 

 does not go over the tibia, but adheres to its spine and to its 

 internal angle. It unites below to the annular ligament of the 

 ankle, to the ligamentous sheath of the peroneal muscles, and 

 to that on the inner ankle. * 



The fascia cruralis, in the superior half of the leg, assists in 

 giving origin to its muscles in front and externally, but is rather 

 loosely attached to them below. On the back of the leg it is 

 also rather loosely connected to the gastroenemii. It sends in 

 one aponeurotic partition between the common extensor of the 

 toes and the long peroneus, and another between the latter and 

 the soleus, both of which are inserted into the fibula. It also 

 is insinuated between the_ soleus and the flexor muscles next to 



