224 ARTICULATIONS. 



other, of small size, between the ligamentum patellae and the upper part of the 

 tuberosity of the tibia. The posterior surface of this ligament is separated above 

 from the knee-joint by a large mass of adipose tissue ; its lateral margins are con- 

 tinuous with the aponeuroses derived from the Vasti muscles. 



The Posterior Ligament or Ligamentum Posticum Winslowii (fig. 140) is a broad, 

 flat, fibrous band, which covers over the whole of the back part of the joint. It 

 consists of two lateral portions, formed chiefly of vertical fibres, which arise above 

 from the condyles of the femur, and are connected below with the back part of 

 the head of the tibia, being closely united with the tendons of the Gastrocnemius, 

 Plantaris, and Popliteus muscles ; the central portion is formed of fasciculi ob- 

 liquely directed and separated from one another by apertures for the passage of 

 vessels. The strongest of these fasciculi is derived from the tendon of the Semi- 

 membranosus ; it passes from the back part of the inner tuberosity of the tibia, 

 obliquely upwards and outwards, to the back part of the outer condyle of the 

 femur. The posterior ligament forms part of the floor of the popliteal space, and 

 upon it rests the popliteal artery. 



The Internal Lateral Ligament is a broad, flat, membranous band, thicker behind 

 than in front, and situated nearer to the back than the front of the joint. It is 

 attached, above, to the inner tuberosity of the femur ; below, to the inner tuberosity 

 and inner surface of the shaft of the tibia, to the extent of about two inches. It 

 is crossed, at its lower part, by the aponeurosis of the Sartorius, and the tendons 

 of the Gracilis and Semi-tendinosus muscles, a synovial bursa being interposed. 

 Its deep surface covers the anterior portion of the tendon of the Semi-membra- 

 nosus, the synovial membrane of the joint, and the inferior internal articular 

 artery ; it is intimately adherent to the internal semilunar fibro-cartilage. 



The Long External Lateral Ligament is a strong, rounded, fibrous cord, situated 

 nearer to the back than the front of the joint. It is attached, above, to the outer 

 condyle of the femur ; below, to the outer part of the head of the fibula. Its 

 outer surface is covered by the tendon of the Biceps, which divides into two 

 parts, separated by the ligament, at its insertion. It has, passing beneath it, 

 the tendon of the Popliteus muscle, and the inferior external articular vessels and 

 nerve. 



The Short External Lateral Ligament is an accessory bundle of fibres, placed 

 behind and parallel with the preceding ; attached, above, to the lower part of the 

 outer condyle of the femur ; below, to the summit of the styloid process of the 

 fibula. This ligament is intimately connected with the capsular ligament, and 

 has, passing beneath it, the tendon of the Popliteus muscle. 



The Capsular Ligament consists of an exceedingly thin, but strong, fibrous 

 membrane, which fills in the intervals left by the preceding ligaments. It is 

 attached to the femur immediately above its articular surface ; below, to the upper 

 border and sides of the patella, the margins of the head of the tibia and inter- 

 articular cartilages, and is continuous behind with the posterior ligament. This 

 membrane is strengthened by fibrous expansions, derived from the fascia lata, from 

 the Vasti and Crareus muscles, and from the Biceps, Sartorius, and tendon of the 

 Sami-membranosus. 



The Crucial are two interosseous ligaments of considerable strength, situated 

 in the interior of the joint, nearer its posterior than its anterior part. They are 

 called crucial, because they cross each other, somewhat like the lines of the letter 

 X ; and have received the names anterior and posterior, from the position of their 

 attachment to the tibia. 



The Anterior or External Crucial Ligament (fig. 141), smaller than the poste- 

 rior, is attached to the inner side of the depression in front of the spine of the 

 tibia, being blended with the anterior extremity of the external semilunar fibro- 

 cartilage, and passing obliquely upwards, backwards, and outwards, is inserted 

 into the inner and back part of the outer condyle of the femur. 



The Posterior or Internal Crucial Ligament is Larger in size, but less oblique 

 r-\ its direction than the anterior. It is attached to the back part of the depres- 



