SUPERIOR FEMORAL REGION. 231 



If the exact relations of the great trochanter with the 

 several osseous prominences observable on the pelvis in 

 a normal state be examined, it will be noticed that if 

 the femur be flexed at a right angle, and at the same 

 time slightly adducted, the apex of the great trochanter 

 corresponds with a line drawn from the anterior superior 

 iliac spine to the tuberosity of the ischium, and that this 

 line divides the cotyloid cavity (which, with respect to 

 the surface, may be regarded as occupying the central 

 position between the anterior superior spine of the ilium, 

 the spine of the pubis, and the tuberosity of the ischium) 

 into two equal parts. This line corresponding to the 

 centre of the cavity, will serve as a guide to an appre- 

 ciation of the extent of displacement in dislocation. 

 Thus supposing the head of the femur be placed behind 

 the cotyloid cavity, this line, instead of corresponding 

 with the apex of the trochanter major, would correspond 

 with a point nearer its base. The extent of the dis- 

 placement, then, will be measured by the prominence of 

 the great trochanter behind this line. 



SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE SUPERIOR 

 FEMORAL REGION. 



The superficial dissection of this region has been al- 

 ready described in the chapter on inguinal and crural 

 hernise, as it was considered convenient to associate it 

 with the region of the abdomen (vide Abdomen) ; but 

 the deeper surgical relations are those of the common 

 femoral and upper portion of the superficial femoral ves- 

 sels, or Scarpa's space. 



Scarpa's Space or Triangle. The dissection of the parts 

 of femoral hernia having been completed, and the fascia 



