THE POSTERIOR LIMB. 233 
The muscular attachments should be removed from about the 
articular capsules and the structures examined as follows: 
A. The hip-joint (articulatio coxae) is an enarthrosis, formed 
by the head of the femur with the parts of the ischium, ilium, and 
the os acetabuli enclosing the acetabulum, together with the 
articular capsule (capsula articularis) and accessory ligaments. 
The articular capsule extends from the acetabular margin to the 
proximal end of the neck of the femur. It is strongest on its dorsal 
side, but is especially thickened at three points, forming the ischio- 
capsular (dorsal), iliofemoral (anterior), and pubocapsular 
(ventral) ligaments. 
By dividing the capsule, the contents of the joint and the smooth 
articular surfaces may be examined; also the attachment of the head 
of the femur to the wall of the acetabular fossa through the round 
ligament (lig. teres femoris). The glenoid lip (labrum glenoi- 
dale) is the ring of fibrocartilage surrounding the ma gin of the 
acetabulum and connecting with the articular capsule. 
B. The knee-joint (articulatio genu) is a hinge-joint or 
ginglymus with a slight spiral trend. It is formed by the articular 
surfaces of the medial and lateral condyles of the femur and tibia, 
with the associated articular capsule, ligaments, and inarticular 
fibrocartilages (see section, Fig. 13). 
The tibial collateral ligament (lig. collaterale tibiale) is a 
stout band of connective tissue stretching fr»m the medial condyle 
of the femur to the posteromedial angle of the medial condyle of the 
tibia. 
The fibular collateral ligament is a similar structure con- 
necting the lateral condyle of the femur with the anterior surface 
of the head of the fibula. 
The sesamoid bones of the popliteal region have articular sur- 
faces taking part in the formation of the joint. That on the medial 
condyle of the femur is contained in the medial head of the gastro- 
cnemius, that on the lateral condyle of this bone in the lateral head 
of the gastrocnemius and the plantaris, and that on the lateral tibia 
condyle in the popliteus. 
The common tendon of the quadriceps femoris, the patella, and 
the patellar ligament are associated with the capsule, forming the 
anterior wall of the joint. 
