MUSCULAR SYSTEM. 151 



faschia lata. It has also relations to the anterior crural nerve, 

 and the femoral bloodvessels. 



Strnciiire. — The superior attachment consists of a broad, flat, 

 bifurcated tendon. The chief bulk is fleshy. The antero-infe- 

 rior and lateral parts are covered by aponeurosis, which ends in 

 a thick flattened tendon running to the patella. 



Action. — Similar to that of the vasti and crureus. 



TRI-FEMORO-ROTULEUS. 

 The three following muscles may either be considered under 

 this name, as forming altogether a triceps muscle, or they may 

 be viewed as three distinct muscles. The French anatomists 

 prefer the former plan ; but our English schools, the latter; and in 

 accordance with their rules, I shall here consider them separately. 



VASTUS EXTERN us. — {Outer Divisiu)! oj'the Tri-femoro-rotuleus.) 



Sittiatio7i. — Antero-external side of the haunch. 



Form. — Semi-oval : internal side, flattened ; external, convex ; 

 thickest in the middle. 



Attachment. — Superiorly and anteriorly, to the root of the tro- 

 chanter major, to the trochanter minor externus, and to the whole 

 outward surface of the body of the femoral bone. Inferiorly and 

 posteriorly, to the supero-external part of the patella. 



Relations. — On the inner side, with the preceding muscle ; on 

 the outer side, with the tensor vaginge and faschia lata ; poste- 

 riorly, with the femoral bone and biceps femoris. 



Structure. — Superior attachment, tendinous and fleshy : the 

 other parts are fleshy, with the exception of a thin aponeurosis 

 spread over its postero-external side. 



VASTUS INTERN us. — (Internal Division of the Tri-femoro- 

 rotuleus.) 



Situation. — Antero-internal part of the haunch. 



Form. — Semi-ovoid : thicker in substance than the last muscle. 



Attachment. — Superiorly and anteriorly, to the neck of the 

 femoral bone, to the root of the trochanter minor internus, and 

 to the entire inner part of the body of the bone. Inferiorly and 

 posteriorly, to the supero-internal part of the patella. 



Relations. — On one side with the rectus ; on the other with 

 the sartorius : posteriorly, with the femoral bone ; anteriorly, with 

 the faschia lata. 



Structure. — Covered by a thin aponeurosis ; otherwise, fleshy. 

 The aponeuroses proceeding from the vasti extend downward 

 over the patella to be fixed to the tubercle of the tibia. Infe- 

 riorly, an aponeurotic tendon separates it from the crureus. 



