THE THIGH 203 



maximus ; (5) from the proximal part of the linea aspera ; and 

 (6) from the lateral intermuscular septum. The fleshy 

 fibres are for the most part directed distally and anteriorly. 

 By means of the common tendon of insertion the muscle 

 gains attachment to the patella and, at the same time, gives an 

 expansion to the capsule of the knee-joint. It is supplied by 

 the femoral nerve. 



M. Vastus Medialis (O.T. Vastus Interims) is intimately 

 connected with the vastus intermedius, but not to such an 

 extent as might be inferred from a superficial inspection. In 

 its proximal part the anterior border, which is fleshy, is either 

 contiguous to or blended with the intermedius ; distally, the 

 anterior border is tendinous and overlaps the intermedius, 

 but it is not, as a rule, fused with it. 



"A line drawn from the middle of the linea intertrochanterica distally 

 and slightly laterally to the middle of the proximal border of the 

 patella will define accurately the thick anterior border of the vastus 

 medialis. " (Williams. ) 



Dissection. Divide the rectus femoris about its middle, and pull the distal 

 part forcibly towards the foot. The narrow interval between the tendons 

 of the vastus intermedius and vastus medialis will then become apparent, 

 and may be followed proximally. A still further guide is the long, 

 slender nerve of supply to the articular muscle of the knee ; it runs 

 along the medial edge of the vastus intermedius. When the anterior 

 border of the vastus medialis is raised from the vastus intermedius the 

 medial surface of the body of the femur will be seen to be perfectly bare. 

 No muscular fibres arise from this bony surface. The fleshy mass of the 

 vastus medialis may now, with advantage, be divided transversely about 

 two inches proximal to the patella. The muscle can then be thrown 

 medially, and its origin studied. 



The vastus medialis arises (i) from the lower part of the 

 linea intertrochanterica; (2) from the line leading from this, 

 distal to the trochanter minor, to the linea aspera ; (3) from 

 the medial lip of the linea aspera ; (4) from the proximal part 

 of the medial supracondylar line as far distally as the opening 

 in the adductor magnus; (5) from the rounded tendon of 

 the adductor magnus. The fleshy fibres are directed distally 

 and anteriorly, and end in the common tendon of the quadri- 

 ceps muscle. By this it is inserted into the patella, and 

 becomes connected with the capsule of the knee-joint. It 

 is supplied by the femoral nerve. 



M. Vastus Intermedius (O.T. Crureus) covers the anterior 

 and lateral aspects of the body of the femur, from both of 

 which, as well as from the distal part of the lateral inter- 



