DISSECTION OF THE POSTERIOR LIMB. 



85 



the synovial membranes of the joint, and is partly adherent to the 

 semilunar cartilages and posterior crucial ligament. The ligament 

 presents apertures for the transmission of vessels to the interior of 

 the joint. 



Synovial Membranes. These are two in number, one for each con- 

 dyle of the femur and corresponding part of the articular surface of the 

 tibia. They are separated from each other by the crucial ligaments in 



Fig. 4?. 



A. Femoro-tibial Ligaments, back view. 

 1. External lateral ligament; 2. Internal lateral ligament: 3. Inner semilunar fibro-cartilage ; 

 4. Outer semilunar fibro-cartilage, with 5 and 6, the femoral and tibial attachments (coronary 

 ligaments) of its posterior extremity ; 7. Posterior crucial ligament ; S. Anterior crucial ligament ; 

 <». Head of fibula. 



B. Anteroposterior Vertical Section of the Femoro-tibial Articulation to show 

 the Crucial Ligaments. 

 1. The posteiior crucial ligament; 2. Anterior crucial ligament; 3. External lateral ligament; 

 4, 5, and 6, as in A. 



the interior of the joint ; while behind and at the sides they line the 

 posterior and lateral ligaments. In front they are in contact with the 

 synovial capsule of the femoro-patellar articulation, and are supported 

 by a pad of fat, which separates them from the straight ligaments of 

 the patella. A communication frequently exists in front between these 

 synovial capsules and that for the gliding of the patella. These 

 synovial membranes invest the semilunar cartilages ; and the external 



