THE THIGH 235 



with the falciform edge of the iliac portion of the fascia ; 

 medially, it blends with the front of the fascia pectinea. 



In the neighbourhood of the knee the fascia lata is con- 

 tinuous posteriorly with the popliteal fascia, whilst on the 

 sides and front of the joint it is attached to the various bony 

 prominences and to the different tendons in those localities, 

 and it helps to strengthen and support the capsule of the 

 knee joint. 



Septa Intermuscularia (Intermuscular Septa). The fascia 

 lata has other offices to perform besides that of forming a 

 continuous investment for the thigh. From its deep surface 

 processes pass off which penetrate the limb and constitute 

 sheaths for the muscles and other structures. Three of 

 the processes, which are especially strong, form distinct septa 

 or partitions which reach the femur and are attached to the 

 linea aspera on its posterior aspect. These partitions are 

 termed the intermuscular septa, and are so disposed that 

 they intervene between the three great groups of muscles in 

 the thigh. The lateral intermuscular septum is placed between 

 the extensor muscles in the anterior area of the thigh and 

 the hamstring muscles in the posterior region ; the medial 

 intermuscular septum intervenes between the extensor muscles 

 and the adductor muscles in the medial region ; whilst the 

 posterior intermuscular septum, weak and inconspicuous in 

 comparison with the other two, is interposed between the 

 adductor and the hamstring muscles. The three septal 

 partitions will be disclosed in the subsequent dissection. 

 In the meantime, merely note that the medial and the 

 lateral septa show on the surface of the fascia, in the distal 

 part of the thigh, as white lines. By means of the three septa 

 the thigh is divided into three osteo-fascial compartments, viz., 

 an anterior, containing the extensor muscles and the femoral 

 nerve ; a posterior, holding the hamstrings and the sciatic 

 nerve ; and a medial, for the adductors with the obturator 

 nerve (Fig. 108). 



Bursse Patellares (Patellar Bursse). Several mucous bursae 

 are situated in the patellar region. Those which lie superficially 

 may be investigated now, and the more deeply placed bursae 

 should be examined at later stages of the dissection, as 

 opportunity occurs. 



The bursae are (i) The subcutaneous prepatellar bursa, which 

 lies immediately beneath the skin opposite the distal part 



