MUSCLES OF THE POSTERIOR LIMBS. 353 



C. Internal Crural Region. 



This region comprises nine muscles, applied in three superposed layers against 

 the inner aspect of the thigh. These are : the lonff and >i/iort adductor of the %, 

 forming the superficial layer ; the pectineuH and the HmaJl and [ireat udductor>> of 

 the thUjh, forming the middle layer. Those of the deep layer — that is, the quad- 

 rate crural {quadratusfrnioris), external obturator, interned obturator, and (jemUJi of 

 the pelvis — are not all situated on the inner face of the femur, one of them being 

 contained within the pelvic cavity. With these muscles — which do not present 

 a very considerable volume — another region might be formed and designated the 

 deep peivi-K ''..ul, or coxo-fenioral region. 



Prepnnition. — 1. Place tlie sulijeet in tlie first position. 2. Prepare on one side the two 

 muscles of the superficial layer, by removing the slight fibrous layer covering them, the internal 

 crural aponeurosis, and the inferior parietifs of the abdomen. 3. To expose, on the opposite 

 .-ide. the three muscles of the middle layer, cut through the two adductors of the leg, and turn 

 them back to the right and left ; separate tiie semimembranosus from the great adductor of the 

 fhigli ; it may be even useful, in order to study the latter muscle, to remove the entire mass of 

 the three ischio-tibial muscles. 4. Dissect the small deep muscles on a separate piece, as shown 

 in Figs. 195 and 197. 



First Layer. 

 1. Long Adductor of the Leg (Sartorius) (Figs. 195, 8; 201, 15). 



Synonymt. — Sublumbo-tibialis — Girard. (Internal ilio-rotuleus—Leyh.) 



Form — Situation — Direction. — This muscle is long, thin, and flattened, narrow 

 at its inferior extremity, and situated at first within the abdominal cavity, at the 

 entrance to the pelvis ; afterwards, inside the thigh ; it is oblique from above to 

 below, behind to before, and within to without. 



Structure. — It is formed of parallel muscular fibres, which extend from its 

 superior to its mferior border ; and it terminates, inferiorly, by an aponeurosis 

 which is confounded Avith that of the short adductor. 



Attachments. — It originates, superiorily, from the inferior face of the iliac 

 fascia, near the tendon of the psoas parvus ; and it is inserted, by means of its 

 terminal aponeurosis, not on the supero- internal tuberosity of the tibia, but on 

 the internal patellar ligament, in common with the short adductor. 



Relations. — It is covered by the crural aponeurosis and Poupart's ligament, 

 and covers the iliacus, psoas magnus, the anterior femoral nerve, and the vastus 

 internus. Superiorly, its inner border forms the limit — with the pectineus and 

 the anterior border of the short adductor — to a triangular space occupied by the 

 crural vessels ; below this space, the two adductors of the leg are closely adherent 

 to each other. 



Action. — It adducts the leg, and flexes the femur. 



2. Short Adductor of the Leg (Gracilis) (Fig. 195, 9). 



(Synonymg.— Subpubio-tibialis— GiVord. (Pubio-tibialis — Leyh.) 



Form — Situation — Direction. — A large quadrilateral muscle, thin at its 

 borders, situated inside the thigh in an oblique direction downwards and out- 

 wards. It forms the base of what is called the fiat of the thigh. 



Stnicture. — Formed of parallel muscular fibres, which extend from its superior 

 to its inferior border, this muscle is tendinous at its origin, is covered by an 

 albugineous layer, and terminates inferiorly in a wide aponeurosis. 



