THE THIGH 197 



large number of cutaneous and muscular branches. The 

 following is a list of these : 



( T-, f To the pectineus. 



I Kami musculares, | sartorius. 



Anterior division, | Intermediate cutaneous. 



( Kami cutanei anterior**, { Medkl cutaneous< 



' To the rectus femoris. 

 ,, vastus medialis. 

 ,, vastus lateralis. 

 Rami musculares, X ,, vastus inter- 



Posterior division, 1 medius. 



,, m. articularis 



genu. 



Ramus cutaneus, Saphenous nerve. 



Rami articulares. 



With the exception of the saphenous nerve, which is distributed 

 upon the medial side of the leg and foot, the distribution of the 

 cutaneous branches of the femoral nerve has been already 

 examined (p. 175). 



The nerve to the pectineus arises a short distance below 

 the inguinal ligament and turns medially, posterior to the 

 femoral vessels, to reach its destination. The branches to the 

 sartorius are two or three in number. As a rule they take 

 origin by a common trunk with the intermediate cutaneous 

 nerve. 



The intermediate cutaneous nerve (O.T. middle cutaneous] 

 sometimes pierces the proximal border of the sartorius. 

 It divides into two branches which perforate the fascia lata 

 about three or four inches distal to the inguinal ligament. 



The medial cutaneous nerve (O.T. internal cutaneous] inclines 

 distally and medially and crosses anterior to the femoral artery. 

 It divides into an anterior and a posterior portion, which become 

 superficial at different levels on the medial side of the limb. 

 From the trunk of the nerve a few cutaneous twigs are given 

 to the skin over the proximal and medial parts of the thigh. 

 The anterior branch crosses the sartorius muscle and makes its 

 appearance through the fascia lata in the distal part of the 

 thigh, a short distance in front of the great saphenous vein. 

 The posterior branch runs distally, along the posterior border of 

 the sartorius, and pierces the deep fascia on the medial side of 

 the knee, behind the sartorius and the saphenous nerve. 



A short distance distal to the middle of the thigh the posterior branch of 

 the medial cutaneous nerve forms, with filaments from the obturator nerve 

 and the saphenous nerve, a plexiform interlacement, the sartorial plexus ; 

 i 13 a 



