THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM. 16<J 



The saplienous opening is a large opening in the fascia 

 lata at its upper and inner part closed by the cribiiform fascia. 

 Through it pass the internal or long saphenous vein, the super- 

 ficial epigastric and external pudic arteries, and lymphatics. It 

 is formed by the iliac and pubic portions of the fascia lata. The 

 iliac portion becomes continuous at the pectineal line with 

 Gimbernat's ligament, and its free border forms the falciform 

 border (vide Femoral Hernia). 



The pubic portion is continuous behind the femoral vessels 

 with the femoral sheath and the iliac and psoas fascia. At the 

 lower border of the saphenous opening it is continuous with the 

 iliac portion of the fascia lata. 



The deep fascia of the leg is attached above to the bony 

 points about the knee, continuous with the fascia lata, invests 

 the leg completely, except the inner surface of the tibia, sends in 

 a deep transverse fascia between the superficial and deep muscles 

 on the posterior aspect of the leg, and below bjecomes continuous 

 with the annular ligament of the ankle-joint. 



The annular ligament of the ankle-joint consists of three 

 portions the internal, external, and anterior. It is attached 

 to the bony points about the ankle-joint, the external and in- 

 ternal malleoli, surfaces of the os calcis, and allows the passage 

 of the muscles to the foot. 



The dorsal aponeurosis of the foot covers the back of the 

 foot, uniting with the plantar fascia at the sides, and terminat- 

 ing anteriorly at the heads of the metatarsal bones. 



The plantar aponeurosis consists of three portions, a cen- 

 tral and two lateral portions. 



The middle commences at the inner tubercle of the os calcis 

 and proceeds, gradually becoming broader, to the heads of the 

 metatarsal bones, where it divides into four branches, each of 

 which nearly surrounds the corresponding flexor tendon to 

 which it gives passage, and is inserted into the edges of the 

 dorsal expansion of the first phalanges. 



The inner portion arises from the internal annular ligament, 

 covers the abductor pollicis muscle, and joins the dorsal aponeu- 

 rosis internally and the internal septum externally. 



The outer portion, much stronger, arises from the os calcis, 

 covers the abductor minimi digiti muscle, and joins the external 

 plantar septum internally and dorsal aponeurosis externally, and 

 is firmly attached to the base of the fifth metatarsal bone. 



Numerous septa pass from the upper surface of the plantar 

 fascia between the plantar muscles and tendons to be inserted 

 into the metatarsal and tarsal bones. 



