THE MUSCLES AXD FASCIjE OF THE THIGH 



345 



aponeurosis of tlie oxtcvnal ol)li(jue; on the outer side and Itehind, to the outer lip 

 ot" the crest of tlie iUuni, and to the lower part of the vertebral a])oneurosis; upon 

 tiie inner side, to the border of the tuberosity and ascending ramus of the ischium, 

 to the descending ramus of the pubes, the symphysis pubis, and the anterior lip of 

 the crest of the pubes. Below, it becomes much thinner, and is continuous with 

 the deep fascia of the leg; it has also a deep attachment to the tuberosities of the 

 tibia and the outer surface of the head of the fibula. The thickening of its outer 

 portion, wliich passes down like a tendon to the external tuberosity of the tilna, 

 and is also attached to the outer side of the ligamentum patella^, is called the ilio- 

 tibial band. From the deep surface of this great cylindrical tube are given off 

 various processes which assist in the formation of the slieaths of some of the more 

 superficial muscles. There are also three strong intermuscular septa, which extend 

 from it to the linea aspera in the lower part of the thigh dividing the flexor, exten- 

 sor, and adductor groups of muscles from one another. At the u])])er part of the 

 thigh, below the inner third of Poupart's ligament, is the saphenous opening, for 



Fig. 285. — Obliquus Exterxus and Fascia Lata. 



Aponeurosis 

 of obliquua 

 externus 



' "i'l\.l. 'W]^ 



\ ' \\A\ 



Loops of 

 cremaster 



W ! 



V ,^j,\lMm^ 



External 

 abdomiual 

 ring 



Saphenous 

 opening 



the passage of the internal saphenous vein, w'hich, after running up the thigh in the 

 su})erficial fascia, enters the deep femoral vein in this situation. This opening is 

 not, as might have been expected from the character of these oi)enings in other 

 ])arts, a mere circular foramen. It is formed by the division of the fascia lata into 

 two parts, which do not unite together again, but are inserted separately along the 

 line of attachment of the lower limb to the trunk. It l)egins below the iimer third 

 of Poupart's ligament, and is of a somewhat oval shape, measuring about one inch 

 (2-5 cm.) from al)ove downwards, and half to three-quarters of an inch (1'2 to 

 2 cm. ) from side to side. The lower liorder of the opening forms a well-defined 

 edge which occupies the angle Iietween the saphenous and femoral veins close to 

 their point of junction. Externally, the fascia lata is attached above along the 

 whole length of Poupart's ligament, and its free internal edge arches inwards 

 towards the spine of the ])ubes in front of the" femoral vein. This external and 

 1)road division of the ui)])er part of the fascia lata is called its iliac portion, and 

 the free edge which lies in front of the femoral vessels is known by the name of the 

 falciform border nr process. Internally, the fascia lata is in close contact with 



