512 



The Vastus externus (m. vastus lateralis) is the largest division of the Quadriceps 

 extensor. It arises by a broad aponeurosis, which is attached to the upper half 

 of the anterior intertrochanteric line, to the anterior and inferior borders of the 

 root of the great trochanter, to the outer lip of the gluteal ridge, and to the upper 

 half of the outer lip of the linea aspera; this aponeurosis covers the upper three- 

 fourths of the muscle, and from its inner surface many fibres take origin. A few 

 additional fibres arise from the tendon of the Gluteus maximus, and from the 

 external intermuscular septum between the Vastus externus and short head of the 

 Biceps. The fibres form a large fleshy mass, which is attached to a strong apon- 

 eurosis, placed on the under surface of the muscle at its lower part; this becomes 



FEMORAL VEIN 

 8APHENOUS VEIN 

 BRANCHES OF 

 OBTURATOR NERV 



FEMORAL ARTERY /FEMORA L NERVE 



/PROFUNDA ARTERY 



EXTERNAL CUTANEOUS 

 NERVE 



FIG. 383. Transverse section of the thigh below the trochanter minor. The femoral artery, vein, and nerve 

 are seen in Hunter's canal. (After Braune.) 



narrowed and thickened into a flat tendon, which is inserted into the outer border 

 of the patella, blending with the Quadriceps extensor tendon, and giving an 

 expansion to the capsule of the knee-joint. Some of the fibres run down by the 

 side of the patella to the condyle of the tibia, and are called the retinaculum patellae 

 laterale. 



The Vastus interims and Crureus appear to be inseparably united, but when 

 the Rectus femoris has been reflected, a narrow interval will be observed extending 

 upward from the inner border of the patella between the two muscles. Here they 

 can be separated, and the separation should be continued upward as far as the 

 lower part of the anterior intertrochanteric line, where, however, the two muscles 

 are frequently continuous. 



The Vastus interims (m. vastus medialis] arises from the lower half of the anterior 

 intertrochanteric line, the spiral line, the inner lip of the linea aspera, the upper 

 part of the internal supracondylar line, the tendon of the Adductor magnus, and 



