110 OF THE MUSCLES. 



tibia ; and connected with the fascia that passes over the 

 vasti internus muscle. Action. To brace the vasti and rectus 

 fascia ; to extend the leg co-operating with the gracilis. 



Gracilis {Fig 6 . 3). Arises. From the symphysis pubis, 

 a portion of its tendon arising from the head of the pec- 

 toneus muscle. Inserted. Into the inner and superior part 

 of the body of the tibia. Action. To flex and adduct the 

 limb. 



Triceps adductor femoris {Plate III. 5), Almost three 

 distinct muscles ; which, under the name of heads, share one 

 common name. Large head. Origin. Bifid superiorly ; 

 from the last sacral spine ; from the first os coccygis ; from 

 the sacro sciatic ligament ; and from the inferior of the 

 tuberosity of the ischium. Insertion. Into the inner con- 

 dyle of the femur ; the patella ; and the head of the tibia. 



Middle head. Origin. From the tendon derived from the 

 symphysis pubis, ofi:' which the gracilis was dissected. In- 

 sertion. Into the inferior, and inner side of the femur. 



FIG 7. 



INSIDE OF THE THIGH (deejy- 



1, Iliacus. 



2, Pectoneus. 



3, Caput parvum of the triceps ab- 



ductor femoris. 



4, Ischio femoi'alis. 



5, Obturator externus. 



Small head {Fig 7 . 3) — origin. From the tendon derived 

 fi'om the symphysis pubis. Insertion. Into the inner side 

 of the femur. 



Action of the three heads. In rearing or leaping they 



