122 



THE BONES OF THE LOWER LIMB. 



parallel, except in front, where the in- 

 ternal turns obliquely outwards to 

 reach the patellar surface. On the 

 exposed lateral surface of each condyle 

 is a rough tuberosity, giving attach- 

 ment to the respective lateral ligament 

 of the knee-joint. The external tube- 

 rosity is the smaller oi" the two ; above 

 it is a roundish impression for the outer 

 head of the gastrocnemius, and below 

 and behind it an oblique groove, ending 

 inferiorly in a pit, in which the popli- 

 teus muscle takes origin : the tendon 

 of the muscle plays over the smooth 

 hinder edge of the groove, and sinks 

 into the hollow when the knee-joint is 

 fully bent. On the upper part of the 

 internal condyle, between the adductor 

 tubercle and the articular surface, is an 

 impression for the internal head of the gastrocnemius. The floor of the intercondylar 

 fossa is rough, and presents two impressions where the crucial ligaments are attached : 



Fig. 135. LOWER PORTION OF RIGHT FEMUR 

 OUTER VIEW. (Drawn by T. W. P. Lawrence.) 



Fig. 136. CORONAL SECTION OF THE UPPER END OF THE FEMUR. (Zaaijer. ) 



