178 



INFERIOR EXTREMITY 



margin of the pubic arch, and to the tuber ischiadicum. 

 Anteriorly, its upper attachment is complicated by the 

 presence of the fossa ovalis. This aperture separates the 

 fascia lata into a lateral or iliac portion and a medial or 

 pectineal portion, now known as the fascia pectinea. This 

 subdivision only extends distally to the distal border of 

 the fossa ovalis. The iliac portion is attached along the 

 whole length of the inguinal ligament. Its medial crescentic 

 margin bounds the fossa ovalis laterally and forms its 

 falciform edge. The cornu superius of this edge blends 

 with the lig. lacunare (O.T. Gimbernat's ligament), whilst its 



inferior cornu joins the pectineal 

 portion of the fascia lata. The 

 fascia pectinea clothes the proxi- 

 mal portions of the adductor 

 longus and pectineus muscles. 

 It recedes from the surface 

 as it is traced laterally, passes 

 posterior to the sheath of the 

 femoral vessels, and blends 

 with the lig. pubocapsulare of 

 the hip - joint, with the deep 



67. Diagram to show the intermuscular septa, and with the 

 fascia iliaca which covers the 

 ilio-psoas muscle. To the medial 

 side of the femoral vessels the 

 fascia pectinea is attached above 

 to the ilio-pectineal line of the 

 pubic bone. The fascia cribrosa, 



as previously stated, is to be regarded as a thin piece of the 

 fascia lata, stretched across the fossa ovalis. Laterally, it is 

 continuous with the falciform edge of the iliac portion of the 

 fascia ; medially, it blends with the front of the fascia pectinea. 

 In the neighbourhood of the knee the fascia lata is con- 

 tinuous posteriorly with the popliteal fascia, whilst on the 

 lateral and anterior aspects of the joint it is attached to the 

 various bony prominences and to the different tendons in this 

 locality and it helps to strengthen and support the capsular 

 ligament of the knee-joint. 



Septa Intermuscularia (Intermuscular Septa). But the 

 fascia . lata has other offices to perform besides that of forming 

 a continuous investment for the thigh. From every part of 



FIG. 



arrangement of the three inter- 

 muscular septa and the three 



osteo-fascial compartments 



the thigh. (After Turner. ) 

 a. Medial intermuscular septum. 



o f 



