THE THIGH 265 



intertrochanteric line; (2) from the line extending from the 

 intertrochanteric line to the linea aspera ; (3) from the medial 

 lip of the linea aspera ; (4) from the proximal part of the 

 medial supracondylar line as far distally as the opening in the 

 adductor magnus (Figs. 118, 121); (5) from the rounded 

 tendon of the adductor magnus. The fleshy fibres are 

 directed distally and anteriorly, and end in the common 

 tendon of the quadriceps muscle, which is inserted into the 

 patella and becomes connected with the capsule of the knee 

 joint. The muscle is supplied by the femoral nerve. 



M. Vastus Intermedius (O.T. Crureus). The vastus inter- 

 medius covers the anterior, and lateral aspects of the body 

 of the femur, from both of which, as well as from the distal 

 part of the lateral intermuscular septum, it takes origin. It 

 is inserted into the patella through the medium of the 

 common tendon. It is supplied by the femoral nerve. 



Common Tendon of the Quadriceps. It should now be 

 noticed that the common tendon of the quadriceps muscle 

 closes the knee joint proximal to the patella. It is inserted into 

 the proximal border of that bone, and is intimately connected 

 with the capsule of the knee joint. Some fibres are carried 

 distally, across the surface of the patella, into the ligamentum 

 patellae. A pouch of the synovial stratum is prolonged 

 proximally beyond the level of the patella, between the 

 quadriceps and the bone. Into the wall of that pouch the 

 articular muscle of the knee is inserted. 



Dissection. The vastus intermedius should be divided in a 

 vertical direction, so as to bring the little articular muscle into 

 view, and at the same time the long, slender nerve-filament 

 which runs along the medial border of the vastus intermedius 

 may be traced to the muscle and the synovial stratum of the 

 knee joint. The articular muscle consists of a few slips of 

 muscle fibres which spring from the lower part of the front of 

 the femur. They are inserted into the upper part of the synovial 

 stratum of the capsule of the knee joint. 



The ligamentum patella, which connects the patella with 

 the tuberosity of the tibia, and through which the quadri- 

 ceps is attached to that bone, will be studied in connection 

 with the knee joint. It may be noted now that it is a 

 broad, thick tendon, which extends from the patella to the 

 tuberosity of the tibia. 



The quadriceps femoris, acting as a whole, is an extensor 

 of the knee, but the rectus femoris can also flex the hip joint. 



