220 HANDBOOK OF ANATOMY 



ilium to the ischial tuberosity, crosses the hip at the level of the 

 upper border of the great trochanter. 



The ischial tiiberosity, in the erect posture, is overlapped by 

 the lower border of glutens maximus; it can be felt a little 

 above the inner part of the gluteal fold. If the hip be rotated 

 inwards, the lesser trochanter can be felt above the outer end 

 of the gluteal fold. 



Anteriorly the buttock is limited by the tensor fascise femoris 

 muscle. 



At a point corresponding to the junction of the upper and 

 middle thirds of a line drawn from the posterior superior spine 

 of the ilium to the ischial tuberosity, the gluteal artery and great 

 sciatic nerve enter the buttock ; from this point the nerve passes 

 downwards and outwards upon the ischium to a point midway 

 between the tuberosity and the great trochanter. 



The Back of the Thigh, 



The hamstring muscles are thrown into prominence by standing 

 on tiptoes, or by flexing the leg against resistance ; at the same 

 time a well-marked furrow indicating the external intermuscular 

 septum of the thigh is seen ; behind this furrow is the biceps, 

 and in front of it the vastus externus. 



The course of the great sciatic nerve corresponds to the upper 

 half of a line extending from a point midway between the ischial 

 tuberosity and the great trochanter to the middle of the 

 popliteal space ; the small sciatic nerve, indicated by the same 

 line, descends superficial to the biceps, while the great sciatic 

 nerve lies under cover of it. 



The external popliteal nerve can be felt as it descends im- 

 mediately behind the tendon of biceps and the head of the fibula. 



The internal popliteal nerve and popliteal vessels are indicated 

 by a line drawn from a point a little internal to the upper angle 

 of the popliteal space, to a point midway between the condyle 

 of the femur, and thence down the middle of the space to the 

 level of the lower part of the tubercle of the tibia. 



