602 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY. 



maximus is inserted is that thickened layer already de- 

 scribed as the iliotibial band, see page 558. 



In the popliteal space the fascia lata is much increased in 

 strength by the addition of transverse fibres which bind 

 together the sides of the space. The external or short 

 saphenous vein pierces the fascia at this place. 



Upon the inner portion of the thigh the fascia is thinner 

 than elsewhere. 



The Cutaneous Nerves. 



These are the terminal filaments of the last dorsal and 

 the posterior branch of the iliohypogastric nerves over the 

 upper part of the gluteal region and the great trochanter ; 

 the cutaneous branches of the sacral nerves over the inner 

 portion of the gluteal region ; the recurrent branches of the 

 small sciatic over the lower portion of the gluteus maximus ; 

 branches from the small sciatic down the back of the thigh, 

 and popliteal space ; and the posterior branches of the ex- 

 ternal cutaneous (see page 561) along the outer side of the 



thigh. 



DISSECTION. 



Remove the fascia lata from the gluteus maximus muscle, cutting in the 

 direction of the fibres of the muscle. Expose the muscle entirely. 



Incise the fascia in the middle line from the gluteus maximus to below the 

 knee and remove it from the deeper parts, noting the compartments for the 

 muscles. Save the small sciatic nerve. 



Clean the muscles of the buttocks, thigh, and the upper part of the popliteal 

 space. 



Gluteus Maximus. Fig. 1 26. 



Origin. From the crest and the outer surface of the 

 ilium posterior to the superior curved line thereof, from 

 the lower half of the posterior and lateral part of the 

 sacrum, from the side of the coccyx, from the lumbar 

 aponeurosis between the ilium and sacrum, and from the 

 posterior surface of the great sacrosciatic ligament. 



