ARRANGEMENT OF THE FASCIA. 255 



^nd is continued below by the antibrachial fascia, which is 

 exceedingly thick and strong, firmly bracing the muscles of 

 the fore-arm ; it is attached to the inner side of the radius, 

 to its distal end both externally and internally, and likewise to 

 the olecranon. On the inner aspect of the limb it is separable 

 into layers, the external of which is tensed by the pectoralis 

 transversus, while the internal gives off folds which pass between 

 the muscles and form sheaths for them, and is attached supe- 

 riorly to the flexor brachii and scapulo-ulnaris muscles, which 

 are its tensors. Inferiorly, this fascia becomes continuous with 

 the annular ligaments of the carpus, thus helping to form sheaths 

 for the passage of the tendons. 



FASCIA OF THE POSTERIOR LIMB. 



The gluteal fascia covers the region of the same name, and is 

 thick, strong, and somewhat elastic, usually containing more or 

 less fatty matter. It is continuous anteriorly with the fascia of 

 the dorso-lumbar region, posteriorly and externally with the crural 

 fascia, and is firmly attached to the anterior iliac and the sacral 

 spines. Its internal surface gives attachment to portions of the 

 gluteus maximus and externus. 



The femoral or crural fascia surrounds the muscles of the 

 thigh. The anterior and external portions are known as the 

 fascia lata ; the internal portion anteriorly is derived from the 

 aponeurosis of the obliquus abdominis externus; passing backwards, 

 it becomes rudimentary, and is replaced posteriorly by connective 

 tissue. The fascia lata encloses the triceps cruralis, and exter- 

 nally divides into two folds, internal and external ; the former 

 passes between the vastus externus and triceps abductor, and 

 accompanies the tendon of the gluteus externus to its insertion at 

 the trochanter minor ; the external fold covers the triceps abduc- 

 tor muscle, becoming continuous above with the gluteal fascia. 

 The fascia lata is attached inferiorly to the patella, and below is 

 continuous with the aponeurotic insertion of the triceps abductor, 

 and so with the tibial fascia ; it is tensed by its own muscle, the 

 tensor fasciae latse. 



The tibial fascia, like the antibrachial, to which it corresponds, 

 is very strong and thick, and covers the tibial group of muscles, 

 sending in folds to form sheaths for them. It gives attachment 

 to the triceps abductor, biceps, rotator, and gracilis muscles, which 



