chap, xxi.] THE POPLITEAL SPACE. 433 



its close adhesion to its companion vessel, Tillaux 

 asserts that "it is unlike any other vein in the 

 economy." It is worthy of note that the vein, 

 although more superficial than the artery, is very 

 rarely ruptured by violence. As a rule, the artery 

 alone is torn. In a few cases both the vessels may 

 suffer ; but I can find no instance recorded of rupture 

 of the popliteal vein alone. 



From the relations of the artery to the vein and 

 nerve it will be understood that a popliteal aneurism 

 may soon lead to oedema of the leg and to nerve 

 symptoms depending upon pressure on the internal 

 popliteal trunk. It has more than once also made its 

 way into the knee-joint, with the posterior ligament 

 of which the artery is in such close relation. 



The short saphenous vein lies almost in the middle 

 line, and not being usually apparent through the 

 skin, may be divided in an incision made into the 

 lower part of the popliteal space. Herapat has 

 suggested that varices of this vein may depend 

 upon the narrowness of the opening in the fascia 

 lata through which the vessel passes to reach the 

 main trunk. 



The lymphatic glands in the ham are from 

 four to five in number and are deeply placed about 

 the great vessels. When enlarged they have been 

 mistaken for aneurism and other popliteal tumours. 

 They receive the deep lymphatics of the leg. A 

 small gland is often met with beneath the fascia, 

 close to the point of entry of the short saphenous 

 vein. It receives some lymphatics that follow that 

 vessel. 



The bursse about tlie ham are usually six in 

 number, two on the inner side of the space and four 

 on the outer. Inner side. (1) A large bursa between 

 the internal condyle of the femur and the inner head 

 of the gastrocnemius and the semimembranosus. 

 c c 



