256 SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE 



teal, anterior tibial recurrent, and anastomotica magna 

 ramify on the capsule. 



The popliteal space forms the posterior aspect of the 

 knee. 



Dissection. The skin is thin, and has beneath it a 

 considerable amount of fat. It contains a number of 

 lymphatic glands, which are liable to suppuration, or to 

 enlargement after injuries to the foot or leg; they are 

 divided into two series a superficial, which accompany 

 the saphena veins, and a deeper, which lie with the popli- 

 teal vessels ; suppuration in these glands has been mis- 

 taken for aneurism. 



The external saphena vein lies in this tissue before it 

 perforates the popliteal aponeurosis to join the popliteal 

 vein ; here also are some branches of the small sciatic 

 nerve. The popliteal aponeurosis continuous with the 

 fascia lata above and fascia of leg below, is attached to the 

 bony prominences and ligaments, and forms sheaths for 

 the muscles and vessels of the space ; strong transverse 

 bands stretch across the space, and by connecting the 

 tendons of the hamstrings, the fascia is rendered very 

 tense. This fascia, from its strength and power of resist- 

 ance, complicates the diagnosis of tumors in the space. 



The boundaries of the popliteal space are, externally, the 

 biceps above, the external head of gastrocnemius and 

 origin of plantaris below. Internally, the tendons of 

 the semi-tendinosus, semi-membranosus, gracilis and 

 sartorius above, and the inner head of the gastrocnemius 

 below. 



These muscles are very subject to contraction after 

 strumous disease of the knee-joint, and to cause subse- 

 quent dislocation of the leg upon the thigh, in cases 

 where the disease has not been combated by treatment. 



