248 THE INFERIOR EXTREMITY 



the psoas major and the iliacus. Through it pass the femoral 

 artery and vein, the deep femoral lymph vessels, the femoral 

 and lumbo-inguinal nerves, and the lateral cutaneous nerve of 

 the thigh. 



Arteria Pudenda Externa Profimda. The deep ex- 

 ternal pudendal artery is a small twig which arises from the 

 medial side of the femoral artery, distal to the inguinal liga- 

 ment. It runs medially, upon the pectineus and adductor 

 longus muscles, and, after piercing the fascia lata, ends, 

 according to the sex, in the integument of the scrotum or of 

 the labium majus pudendi. 



Dissection. Before the other contents of the femoral triangle 

 are studied, complete the dissection of the remains of the anterior 

 and medial regions of the thigh and knee. 



First clean the remainder of the sartorius as far as its inser- 

 tion into the tibia, but avoid injury to the nerves which lie in 

 relation with it. The lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, 

 which crosses anterior to the muscle near the anterior superior 

 spine of the ilium, and the intermediate cutaneous nerve, which 

 either crosses or pierces it, have already been secured. Below the 

 apex of the femoral triangle the anterior branch of the medial 

 cutaneous nerve crosses superficial to the sartorius, and the 

 posterior branch of the same nerve runs along its posterior border. 

 A short distance proximal to the knee the infrapatellar branch of 

 the saphenous nerve pierces it, and the trunk of the saphenous 

 nerve emerges between its posterior border and the tendon of the 

 gracilis at the medial side of the knee accompanied by the 

 saphenous branch of the arteria genu suprema, which serves as a 

 guide to its position. After the sartorius is displayed, turn to the 

 tensor fasciae latae, which lies immediately lateral to the proximal 

 part of the sartorius. At the lateral border of the proximal part 

 of the sartorius the iliac part of the fascia lata splits into two 

 layers. One layer passes superficial to the sartorius, and has 

 been removed to expose the muscle ; the other passes deep to the 

 tensor fasciae to blend with the tendon of the rectus femoris. 

 Trace the tensor fasciae to its attachment to the ilio-tibial tract 

 of the fascia lata, into which it is inserted ; then cut through the 

 fascia lata vertically, along the anterior border of the ilio-tibial 

 tract down to the lateral condyle of the tibia. Pull the distal part 

 of the ilio-tibial tract laterally, and demonstrate the lateral inter- 

 muscular septum which passes from its deep surface to the 

 lateral supracondylar ridge of the femur. Now clean away the 

 whole of the fascia lata between the tensor fasciae latae and the 

 ilio-tibial tract on the lateral side, and the sartorius on the 

 medial side. The muscles which will then be brought into 

 view are the rectus femoris along the middle of the front of the 

 thigh. It will be recognised by the bipennate arrangement of 

 its fibres. Between it and the ilio-tibial tract are parts of the 

 vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius, the latter below the 

 former ; and between it and the sartorius in the distal third of 

 the thigh the distal part of the vastus medialis will be seen. 



