THE MUSCLES. 177 



super, (that is, proper /ascia lata}, divides, at the internal border 

 of gracilis, into a superficial and deep layer, and unites with 

 fibres which are attached to osfemoris. These are, a. the superior 

 layer between m. rectus and tensor fasciae; it passes from the 

 anterior border of os flei, anteriorly above the hip-joint and neck 

 of the femur like a ligament, and continues with fascia lata below 

 the trochanter major, b. The external intermuscular ligament 

 on the linea aspera, from trochanter major downwards to con- 

 dylus externus, separates the flexor from the extensor muscles 

 on the outer side. c. The internal reaches from trochanter minor 

 as far as condylus intern, femoris, is not so strongly marked, 

 separates vastus internus from adductores. 



362. Separate sheaths : 1 . for the femoral vessels, vagina 

 vasor. crur., a three-sided sheath, between the anterior and in- 

 ternal muscular sheaths ; they help to form the femoral canal. 



363. 2. The three great muscular sheaths : 



a. The posterior, common to m. biceps, semi tendinosus and 

 semi-membranosus. 



b. The anterior divides into the following sheaths: 1. For 

 Sartorius. 2. For rectus femoris. 3. For vast, extern, and 

 intern. 4. For tensor fas cise. 



c. The internal divides : 1. For gracilis. 2. "For pectinxus and 

 adductor longus. 3. For adductor brevis and obturator externus. 



364. 3. The femoral ring, annulus cruralis, this is, the 

 three-sided opening, an inch and a half broad, through which the 

 crural vessels pass out, behind ligam. Poupartii, from the abdo- 

 minal cavity upon the anterior surface of the thigh. Directed 

 obliquely from above downwards and from behind forwards, it is 

 bounded before, by the femoral arch (which supports the sper- 

 matic cord, or round ligament), behind, by the horizontal 

 ramus of the pubes (with m. pectin, and the deep layer of fascia 

 lata), externally, by the sheath of m. psoas and iliacus; here the 

 vasa epigastrica ascend. Its posterior angle corresponds to 

 eminent, ileo-pectin&a ; between flexor femor. and pectineus. 

 Its external angle arises from the junction of the lig. Poupartii 

 with the sheath of the Psoas, in which lies nerv. cruralis. The 

 lig. Gimbernati forms the internal ; it is obtuse, in the normal 

 course of the art. obturator free from vessels, but between V. 

 cruralis and lig. Gimbernati a large, deep inguinal gland lies. 

 (Hernia cruralis passes out at this point.) Towards the abdo- 

 minal cavity the crural ring is covered by loose uniting tissue 

 (septum crurale). 



365. 4. Femoral canal, canalis cruralis, is the excavated 

 12 



