ANTERIOR FEMORAL REGION. 241 



Origin. — The anterior portion arises from the spine of the 

 sacrum, the coccygeal fascia, and the sacro-sciatic ligament ; also 

 from the ischial tuberosity; the posterior portion is attached to 

 the crest of the ischial tuberosity. 



Insertion. — Anteriorly to the external side of the patella and 

 its external ligament, a synovial bursa lying between it and the 

 bone ; posteriorly by a strong aponeurosis to the tibial fascia, 

 which it helps to form, and by it to the tibial crest. It sends a 

 strong slip which is attached near the insertion of the ischio- 

 femoralis. 



Relation. — Externally and superiorly with the gluteal fascia, 

 to which it adheres above ; internally with the fascia of the 

 gluteus externus, which separates it from the maximus and the 

 femoral trochanter ; with the sciatic nerves, the adductor muscles, 

 and biceps rotator, excepting at the upper portion, where it is 

 related posteriorly with the latter muscle. 



Action. — The anterior portion extends the femur and abducts 

 the limb ; the posterior portion flexes the stifle joint and tenses 

 the tibial fascia. It assists the abductor magnus when the limb 

 is fixed. (Vide Abductor Magnus.) 



Anterior Femoral Region. 



The muscles of this region lie in the space between the iliac 

 spine above, the patella below, and the femur and hip joint 

 posteriorly. They are as follows : — 



Tensor fasciae latse. 



Rectus femoris. 



Vastus externus. 

 Vastus internus. 

 Crureus. 



Triceps or quadriceps cruralis. 



TENSOR FASCIA LATiE. 



(Tensor Vagince Femoris — Ilio-aponeuroticits.) 



(Pl. IL 54 ; Fig. 84. a.) 



Situated in front of the gluteus externus, and on the outside 

 of the vastus externus, this muscle is flat and triangular, radiat- 

 ing downwards and backwards. 



Attachments. — The fleshy portion arises from the anterior iliac 



R 



