THE THIGH 199 



hip-joint ; two, and frequently three, filaments go to the 

 knee-joint. 



Tractus Ilio-tibialis of Fascia Lata (O.T. Ilio-tibial 

 Band). The thick band of fascia lata on the lateral aspect 

 of the thigh which receives this name should now be 

 examined, and its connections ascertained. It has been 

 preserved for this purpose. Distally it is attached to the 

 lateral condyle of the tibia and to the head of the fibula. 

 On tracing it proximally, on the lateral surface of the vastus 

 lateralis, it will be observed to split, at the junction of 

 the middle and proximal thirds of the thigh, into two lamellae 

 a superficial and a deep. The tensor fasciae latse is 

 enclosed between these layers, and when they are disengaged 

 from its surfaces the muscle will be seen to be inserted into 

 the fascia at the angle of splitting. The superficial lamina of 

 the tractus ilio-tibialis is attached above to the crest of the 

 ilium, and is continuous posteriorly with the glutaeal aponeurosis 

 where this covers the glutaeus medius. The deep lamina can 

 be followed proximally, on the lateral surface of the rectus 

 femoris, to the capsule of the hip-joint, with the upper and 

 lateral part of which it blends. It is also connected with the 

 reflected tendon of the rectus femoris. This layer is per- 

 forated by the ascending twigs of the lateral circumflex 

 artery of the thigh. 



M. Tensor Fasciae Latae (O.T. Tensor Fasciae Femoris). 

 This is a small muscle which is placed on the lateral 

 and anterior aspect of the proximal third of the thigh. It 

 lies between the two lamellae of the tractus ilio-tibialis, in the 

 interval between the sartorius muscle anteriorly and the 

 glutaeus medius muscle posteriorly. On turning the muscle 

 laterally so as to display its deep surface, a little dissection 

 will bring into view its nerve of supply which comes from 

 the superior glutceal nerve. A few arterial twigs from the lateral 

 circumflex artery also sink into its deep surface. 



The tensor fascice lata arises from a small portion of the 

 anterior part of the lateral lip of the crest of the ilium ; from 

 the upper part of the margin of the notch below the anterior 

 superior (iliac) spine ; and by some fibres from the aponeurosis 

 covering the glutaeus medius. It extends distally, with a 

 slight inclination posteriorly, and is inserted into the tractus 

 ilio-tibialis of the fascia lata at its angle of splitting. 



Art. Circumflexa Femoris Lateralis (O.T. External 

 i13 b 



