29 i 



FASCIAE OF THE LOWER LIMB. 



Hunter's canal, which contains the femoral artery and vein, together with 

 the internal saphenous nerve. 



The aponeurosis of the leg is particularly dense in the upper and fore 

 part, and is strengthened by fibres from the tendons of the biceps externally, 

 and the sartorius, gracilis, and semimembranosus internally. Behind, over 

 the popliteal space, it consists of strong transverse fibres, which bind 

 togethtr the muscles of the outer and inner sides, and is perforated at the 

 lower part of the space by the external saphenous vein ; lower down it becomes 

 much thinner over the gastrocnemius muscle. This fascia is adherent to 

 the periosteum covering the head, the spine and the posterior margin of the 

 tibia, the head of the fibula, and the outer and inner malleoli ; and it invests 

 the leg completely except at the inner surface of the tibia. From its 

 deep surface intermuscular septa are prolonged inwards. The situation of 

 these septa is marked on the surface of the fascia by several white lines in 

 front and on the outer side of the leg. One, parallel to the spine of the 

 tibia, runs between the tibialis anticus and the extensor longus digitorum, 

 and is attached deeply to the interosseous membrane ; and another extending 



Fig. 223. 



-5 



Fig. 223. SUPERFICIAL MUSCLES AND TENDONS ON 



THE DORSUM OP THE FcOT AND LOWER PART OF 



THE LEO ANTERIORLY (after Bourgery). 



a, lower part of the tibia ; b, lower part of the 

 fibula above the malleolus externus ; c, inner side of 

 the scaphoid bone ; d, internal cuneifurm bone ; 1, 

 lower part of the tibialis anticus muscle ; 1', its 

 tendon descending in the groove of the internal cunei- 

 form bone ; 2, extensor longus pollicis ; 2', its expan- 

 sion on the dorsum of the great toe ; 3, extensor 

 communis digitorum dividing into its four tendons for 

 the toes ; 3', the expansion, and 3", the final inser- 

 tion of the same upon the second toe ; 4, peroneus 

 tertius ; 4', its expanded insertion on the base of the 

 filth metatarsal bone ; 5, small part of the fibres of 

 the soleus on the inner side of the tibia ; 6, small 

 part of the peroneus brevis ; 7, extensor brevis digi- 

 torum, seen below the tendons of the extensor longua 

 and peroneus tertius ; 7'-, 7", on a band of aponeu- 

 rosis crossing the toes, the first and fourth tendons of 

 the extensor brevis muscle passing to join those of the 

 long extensor ; 8, 9, anterior annular ligament, 

 chiefly in its lower part or ligamentum cruciatum ; 

 between 8 and c, the inner and lower band enclosing 

 the extensor longus pollicis and tibialis anticus ; 

 below 9, the outer part of the same enclosing the 

 tendons of the extensor communis and peroneus 

 tertius ; 10, 11, dorsal transverse band of the aponeu- 

 rosis of the foot, uniting the heads of the inetatarsal 

 bones. 



between the long extensor and peroneus 

 tertius in front, and the peroneus longua 

 and brevis behind, is inserted along the 

 anterior margin of the shaft of the fibula. 



These septa, as well as the upper and anterior portion of the fascia itself, 

 afford attachment to the muscular fibres, and thus increase greatly the 

 extent of the surfaces from which the muscles derive their origin. 



Between the superficial and the deep muscles on the back of the leg, a 



