850 THE MUSCLES. 



marked by tendinous intersections : its inferior extremity is enveloped by a vast 

 aponeurotic cone. 



Attachments. — It originates, by its two superior branches, from the imprints 

 which surmount, forwards and outwards, the lip of the cotyloid cavity. It 

 terminates, by its inferior extremity, on the anterior face of the patella. 



Belations.—Extevnallj, internally, and posteriorly, with the two other portions 

 of the triceps ; anteriorly, with the tensor of the fascia lata. Its superior 

 extremity, included between the iliacus and the deep gluteus, is separated from 

 the coxo-femoral capsule by a little adipose cushion, which is insinuated between 

 its two branches. 



Action. — An extensor of the leg and flexor of the thigh. 



B. Vastus Externus (Fig. 201, 11).— Form— Extent— Sitimtion.— This is a 

 thick and wide muscular mass, flattened on each side, extending from the 

 superior extremity of the femur to the patella, and situated to the outer side of 

 the rectus femoris. 



Structure and Attachments. — The fasciculi composing this muscle are inter- 

 mixed with strong aponeurotic layers, and originate from the whole outer surface 

 of the femur and the external half of its anterior face ; they are directed for- 

 wards and downwards, to terminate either on the anterior rectus, or on the 

 superior face and external side of the patella. 



Relations. — Outwardly, with the fascia lata and superficial gluteus ; inwardly, 

 with the rectus femoris and the vastus internus, which is intimately confounded 

 with it except towards the superior extremity of the femur, where the two 

 muscles are distinctly separate ; behind, with the femur and the posterior portion 

 of the superficial gluteus. 



Action. — It is an extensor of the leg. 



C. Vastus Internus (Figs. 195, 7 ; 203, 17). — This muscle is not very 

 distinct from the preceding for the greater part of its extent, and forms with 

 it a deep and wide channel, in which the rectus femoris is lodged. It is a 

 repetition of the vastus externus, in so far as its form, structure, extent, attach- 

 ments, and action are concerned ; but it possesses the following peculiarities : — 



The fibres entering into its composition arise from the whole internal face 

 and the inner half of the anterior face of the femur, and are inserted, some on 

 the aponeurosis of the rectus femoris, others on the internal patellar ligament, the 

 corresponding side of the patella, and on the superior face of the same bone, in 

 common with the vastus externus. 



Relations. — By its external face, to the latter muscle and the rectus femoris ; by 

 its internal face, to the internal crural aponeurosis, the long adductor of the leg, 

 the iliacus, pectineus, and to the long branch of the great adductor of the thigh. 



3. Anterior Gracilis (Crureus, Rectus Parvus) (Figs. 197, 6 ; 203, 15). 



Synonyms. — Gracilis anterius — Rigot. Ilio-femoral gracilis — Girard. (Crureus vel cruralis 

 — Percivall.) 



A small cylindrical muscle, situated in front of the capsule of the coxo- 

 femoral articulation, alongside the fibrous fasciculus that strengthens the anterior 

 portion of this membranous ligament. 



Attachments. — It originates from the ilium, very near, and to the outside 

 of, the external branch of the rectus femoris; it afterwards insinuates itself 

 between the two vasti, and terminates on the anterior aspect of the femur by 

 aponeurotic fasciculi. 



