Chap, xx.] THE THIGH. 417 



The sciatic nerves and vessels are cut on the lower 

 border of the flap, while on its face are divided 

 branches of the sciatic, perforating, and circumflex 

 arteries. 



CHAPTER XX. 



THE THIGH. 



UNDER the term "the thigh" it will be convenient 

 to describe that part of the lower limb that extends 

 between the regions just described, and the districts 

 of the knee and popliteal space. 



Surface anatomy. In muscular subjects the 

 outline of the thigh is irregular, but in the less 

 muscularly developed, who are provided with a good 

 share of subcutaneous fat, the limb, in this section of 

 it, is more or less evenly rounded. 



The prominence of the rectus muscle is noticeable 

 on the front of the thigh, especially when the muscle 

 is in action. To the inner side of this structure, and 

 conspicuous along the lower half of the thigh, is the 

 eminence formed by the vastus iiiternus. The mass 

 to the outer side of the rectus is composed of the 

 external vastus muscle, and occupies the greater part 

 of the limb in this region, being, however, more 

 conspicuous below. 



Running down the anterior and inner aspect of 

 the thigh, from the apex of Scarpa's triangle, is a 

 depression which indicates the interval between the 

 quadriceps muscle and the adductors. Along this 

 groove the sartorius lies. Over the surface of the 

 vastus externus a longitudinal depression is often to 

 be observed formed by the pressure exercised by the 

 super-imposed ilio-tibial band of the fascia lata (Quaiii's 



B B 



