PLATE XVIII. 



THE SUPERFICIAL VIEW OF THE FRONT OF THIGH, 

 FASCIA LATA, AND SAPHENOUS OPENING. 



In this dissection the superficial fascia an 1 the cribriform fascia have been entirely 

 removed in order to show the saphenous opening in the fascia lata. The cutaneous 

 nerve supply to the front of the thi.u'h H shown in the annexed diagram : (a) external 

 cutaneous branch [2 and 8 L] ; (b) the gluteal branch of the external cutaneous pass- 

 ing backwards; (o middle cutaneous branch of the 

 anterior crural ; (d) crural branch of the ganito-crural 

 [1 and 2 L] ; (e) ilio-ingtiinal nerve [1 L] ; (/) small 

 upper cutaneous twigs from the internal cutaneous ; 

 (g) internal cutaneous piercing fascia lata in two 

 branches ; (h) patellar .branch of the long saphenous ; 

 (k) long saphenous. Tho position of Poupart's liga- 

 ment is indicated by a thick dotted line. 



The saphenous opening is an oval opening in the 

 fascia lata formed by the difference in level of the outer 

 or iliac and the inner or pubic portions. The iliac 

 portion is attached to the whole length of Poupart's 

 ligament as far as the pubic spine ; from this point its 

 inner edge curves outwards and downwards superficial 

 to the femoral vessels, exposing the inner part of their 

 sheath, forming a sickle like edge the falciform edge 

 of the saphenous opening ; it then passes under the long 

 suphenous vein to join the inner or pectineal portion. 

 The pectineal portion of the fascia lata passes over the 

 ppctincus muscle, being attached above to the ilio-pec- 

 tineal lino and Gimbernat's ligament ; and, passing 

 / the sheath of the femoral vessels, with which it 

 is blended, is continued into the fascia covering tho psoaa 

 muscle. 



Tho superficial or iliac portion of the fascia lata, 

 although attached to the front of the sheath of the 

 femoral vessels, can easily be separated by using the 

 handle of the scalpel. 



Thus the saphenous opening is bounded externally 

 and in front by tho falciform edge of tho iliac portion 

 of the fascia lata, and internally and behind by the 

 pectineal portion. Stretching across from one side 

 t:> thu other is a thin plane of areolar tissue which is perforated by the various 

 vessels, and hence has been called the cribriform fascia; it is a most indefinite 

 structure, which is attached to the falciform process externally, and joins the superficial 

 internally, and until it is cleared away tho falciform edge cannot be well seen. 

 This opening is important surgically on account of its allowing a femoral hernia to exit 

 when it becomes complete : it gives passage to the lymphatics entering the crural can il 

 to join the deep inguinal glands, the superficial veins, and pudic and epigastric an 



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