274 FASCIAE OF THE LEG. 



fascia ; and then curving upwards over Poupart's ligament, the hernia will 

 become placed beneath the superficial fascia and integument. 



The direction which femoral hernia takes in its descent is at first down- 

 wards, then forwards, and then upwards; and in endeavouring to reduce 

 it, the application of the taxis must have reference to this course, and be 

 directed in precisely the reverse order. The coverings of femoral hernia 

 are the 



Integument, Fascia propria, 



Superficial fascia, Septum crurale, 



Cribriform fascia, Peritoneal sac. 



The FASCIA OF THE LEG is strong in the anterior tibial region, and gives 

 origin by its inner surface to the upper part of the tibialis anticus, and ex- 

 tensor longus digitorum muscles. 



It is firmly attached to the tibia and fibula at each side, and becomes 

 thickened inferiorly into a narrow band, the anterior annular ligament, 

 beneath which the tendons of the extensor muscles pass into the dorsum 

 of the foot, in distinct sheaths lined by synovial bursae. Upon the outer 

 side it forms a distinct sheath, which envelopes the peronei muscles, and 

 ties them to the fibula. The anterior annular ligament is attached by one 

 extremity to the outer side of the os calcis, and divides in front of the 

 joint into two bands ; one of which is inserted into the inner malleolus, 

 while the other spreads over the inner side of the foot, and becomes con- 

 tinuous with the internal portion of the plantar fascia. 



The fascia of the dorsum of the foot is a thin layer given off from the 

 lower border of the anterior annular ligament : it is continuous at each 

 side with the lateral portions of the plantar fascia. 



'\\\Q fascia of the posterior part of the leg is much thinner than the ante- 

 rior, and consists of two layers, superficial and deep. The superficial 

 layer is continuous with the posterior fascia of the thigh, and is increased 

 in thickness upon the outer side of the leg by an expansion derived from 

 the tendon of the biceps ; it terminates inferiorly in the external and in- 

 ternal annular ligaments. The deep layer is stretched across between the 

 tibia and fibula, and forms the intermuscular fascia between the superficial 

 and deep layer of muscles. It covers in superiorly the popliteus muscle, 

 receiving a tendinous expansion from the semi-membranosus muscle, and 

 is attached to the oblique line of the tibia. 



The internal annular ligament is a strong fibrous band, attached above 

 to the internal malleolus, and below to the side of the inner tuberosity of 

 the os calcis. It is continuous above with the posterior fascia of the leg, 

 and below with the plantar fascia, forming sheaths for the passage of the 

 flexor tendons and vessels into the sole of the foot. 



The external annular ligament, shorter than the internal, extends from 

 the extremity of the outer malleolus to the side of the os calcis, and serves 

 to bind down the tendons of the peronei muscles in their passage beneath 

 the external ankle. 



The PLANTAR FASCIA consists of three portions, a middle and two 

 lateral. 



The middle portion is thick and dense, and is composed of strong apo- 

 neurotic fibres, closely interwoven with each other. It is attached poste- 

 riorly to the inner tuberosity of the os calcis, and terminates under the 

 heads of the metatarsal bones in five fasciculi. Each of these fasciculi 



