THE GLUTEAL VESSELS. lit 



glutei. One (superior ; 6) courses along the upper border of the 



glutens minimus (supplying mostly the medius) to the front of the 



iliac crest, where it anastomoses with the ascending branch of the the latter 



external circumflex artery. The other portion (inferior ; c) is andTloweT 



directed forwards over the middle of the smallest gluteal muscle, branch. 



with the nerve, towards the anterior lower iliac spine, where it 



enters the tensor fascise femoris, and communicates with the 



external circumflex artery (p. 159) : many offsets are furnished 



to the gluteus minimus, and some pierce that muscle to supply the 



hip-joint. 



Vein. The companion vein with the artery enters the pelvis, Gluteal 

 and ends in the internal iliac vein. 



The SUPERIOR GLUTEAL NERVE (fig. 50, *) IS the highest branch Superior 



of the sacral plexus, and arises from the lunibo-sacral cord and the uerve 



first sacral nerve (fig. 49, p. 120). It accompanies the gluteal 



artery, and divides into two for the supply of the gluteus medius is muscular. 



and minimus ; its lower branch terminates anteriorly in the 



tensor fasciae femoris (B). 



The GLUTEUS MINIMUS (fig. 50, c) is triangular in shape, and Gluteus 

 arises from the dorsum of the ilium between the middle and inferior nmumus: 

 curved lines, extending backwards as far as the middle of the 

 anterior margin of the great sciatic notch (fig. 47). Its tendon 

 i* inserted into an impression along the fore part of the great attach- 

 trochanter of the femur (fig. 60, p. 157), where it is united 1 "' 

 inferiorly with the gluteus medius : some fibres are attached to 

 the capsule of the hip-joint. 



One surface is in contact with the gluteus medius, and the gluteal relations; 

 vessels and nerve ; the other with the hip-bone, the hip-joint, and 

 the outer head of the rectus femoris muscle. The anterior border 

 lies by the side of the gluteus medius ; and the posterior is covered 

 by the pyriformis muscle. A bursa is placed between the tendon 

 and the bone. 



Action. This muscle agrees in its action with the gluteus use like 

 medius ; but as it reaches farther backwards, the hinder fibres medms - 

 may also have some influence in rotating the hanging femur 

 outwards. 



Dissection. Cut through the smallest gluteal muscle near the Divide 

 ilium, and define the tendinous portion of the rectus femoris under- 

 neath it, close above the hip-joint. While detaching the gluteus 

 from the parts underneath, the student will notice the connection 

 between its tendon and the capsule of the joint. 



The deep vessels to the articulation may be observed and followed trace deep 

 as the muscle is removed. 



The posterior or reflected head of the rectus femoris is a tendon as Posterior 

 wide as the finger, and about two inches long, which is fixed into 

 the impression above the margin of the acetabulum. In front it 

 joins the straight head of the muscle, which is attached to the 

 anterior inferior iliac spine ; and its lower border is connected with 

 the capsule of the hip-joint. 



The PYRIFORMIS (fig. 48, B and fig. 50, p) arises in the pelvis origin of 



pyritormis ; 



