THIGH AND BUTTOCK. 



continuing backward above the Adductor magnus. It also 

 gives off muscular branches, and an articular branch to the hip. 

 Perforating; piercing the Adductors close to the femur, the 

 first two running through the Adductor brevis, and the third 

 below it. Muscular ; to the thigh. [860] 



The anastomotic arises from the femoral near its end and di- 

 vides at once into two branches, superficial and deep, to the 

 inner side of the knee. [862] 



Crucial Anastomosis: This is formed under the Gluteus 

 maximus by branches of the sciatic, the first perforating, and 

 the transverse branches of the external and internal circum- 

 flex. [862] 



Popliteal. Beginning as a continuation of the femoral at the 

 upper and inner part of the popliteal space, under the Semi- 

 membranosus, this descends, at first slightly outward and then 

 vertically, to the lower border of the Popliteus and there di- 

 vides into the anterior and the posterior tibial. Its branches 

 are muscular, upper and lower sets ; superior articular, inter- 

 nal and external, one running on each side transversely above 

 the femoral condyle; inferior articular, internal and external, 

 one running on each side transversely below the femoral con- 

 dyle ; azygos articular, running forward through the centre of 

 the knee-joint capsule; and cutaneous, one (superficial sural) 

 descending on the calf in the midline. [863] 



VEINS. 



There are two sets, superficial and deep ; the former do not 

 accompany arteries but end in the deep veins. The deep veins 

 (vense comites) accompany their arteries in pairs (except the 

 popliteal, femoral, and iliacs, which are single) and have the 

 same names and branches. The popliteal ascends behind its 

 artery, gradually crossing it from within outward. The fem- 

 oral in Hunter's canal lies behind, and at first to the outer 

 side of, its artery ; in Scarpa's triangle it lies at first behind and 



[291] 



