i 9 4 



INFERIOR EXTREMITY 



thus formed is called the adductor canal or " Hunter's Canal." 

 When the fibrous expansion which closes in the canal is traced 

 proximally, it is seen to become thin and ill-defined as it 

 approaches the femoral triangle ; when traced in the opposite 

 direction, however, it becomes dense and strong, and opposite 

 the opening in the adductor magnus it presents a thick, 

 sharply defined margin. It stretches from the adductor 

 longus and the adductor magnus posteriorly to the vastus 

 medialis anteriorly. In its distal part the posterior wall of the 



N. cutaneus femoris lateralis 



Femur 



M. vastus lateralis 



M. vastus intermedius 



M. biceps 

 femoris 



M. semitendinosus 



M. rectus femoris 



Intermediate 

 cutaneous nerve 

 (O.T. middle) 



M. sartorius 



Femoral vessels in 

 adductor canal 

 (Hunter's) 



V. saphena magna 

 M. adductor longus 



M. gracilis 



M. adductor magnu: 

 M. semimembranosus 



FIG. 73. Transverse Section through the Middle of the Thigh. The 

 relationship of the parts in Adductor Canal (Hunter's) is seen. 



canal, where it is formed by the adductor magnus, presents a 

 deficiency or aperture which leads backwards into the popli- 

 teal fossa. The appearance and construction of this aperture 

 will be studied at a later stage. It is called the hiatus tendineus 

 or opening in the adductor magnus. 



The femoral vessels and the saphenous nerve traverse the 

 adductor canal. In this part of its course the artery gives 

 off some muscular twigs and the arteria genu suprema. 

 The femoral vessels leave the canal at its distal end by inclin- 

 ing posteriorly through the opening in the adductor magnus 

 and entering the fossa poplitea. The saphenous nerve, 

 accompanied by the saphenous branch of the art. genu 



