THE TIBIA. 



139 



what rough, for the attachment of the tibialis anticus 

 muscle ; below, it is slightly twisted so as to present for- 

 ward. The posterior surface is broad and flattened and 

 presents at its upper part an 

 oblique ridge, which runs from 

 the outer border downward 

 and inward across to the inner 

 border. Just below the ob- 

 lique line is the nutrient fora- 

 men, which passes downward. 

 The inferior portion presents 

 the grooves for the flexor mus- 

 cles as they pass to the foot. 



The superior extremity or 

 head is cylindroid in form and 

 much expanded ; its upper sur- 

 face is flat and presents two 

 shallow articular surfaces for 

 the condyles of the femur ; be- 

 tween these are two blunt, 

 conical processes, the spines 

 for the attachment of the 

 crucial ligaments. Aj^Qltjiis- 

 tance below the articular sur- 

 faces, anteriorly, is the tuber- 

 osity of the tibia, a marked 

 ovoidal mass of bone to which 

 the li^ameiitum patellae is at- 

 tached. Externally, is a small 

 articular facet for the head of 

 the fibula. Posteriorly, the 



head is flattened and enters into the formation of the 

 popliteal space. XJ 16 inferior eyf-TfTP^y fa lavgff nnd 

 cuboidal; presents an anterior, posteri', int m ' na V and 



