Figs. 174 and 175. Transverse Sections through the Thigh at the end 

 of the upper and middle thirds. 



Frozen Section. 



Three powerful groups of muscles surround the thigh and enclose it so 

 completely that the Great Trochanter and the Condyles alone remain subcutaneous. 

 In front, the Quadriceps Extensor (Rectus arising from the Anterior Inferior Spine 

 and brim of the Acetabulum, Vastus Internus, Vastus Externus and between these 

 the Crureus arising from the Femur); internally, the Adductors (Adductor Brevis, 

 Adductor Longus, Adductor Magnus, Pectineus and Gracilis) arising from the 

 Pelvis; behind, the Flexors (Biceps, Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus) arising 

 from the Tuberosity of the Ischium with the exception of the Short Head of 

 the Biceps. 



The Extensors increase in mass as far as the lower third because they 

 receive fibres from the Femur. The Adductors diminish regularly until they 

 merely form a tendon at the Knee-joint. The Flexors are reinforced by the 

 Short Head of the Biceps and diverge at the Popliteal Space to the outer and 

 inner sides respectively. 



A very strong fascia surrounds the muscles of the thigh enclosing them 

 so tightly that after division of the fascia the muscles protrude through the slit, 

 like a hernia. The fascia is strongest on the outer side because it receives the 

 tendinous expansion of the Tensor of the Fascia of the Thigh, and of the Gluteus 

 Maximus. From the Fascia two membranous Septa stretch to the bone, thus 

 dividing the muscles into z groups: the External Septum extending from the great 

 Trochanter along the outer Hp of the Linea A.spera down to the External Condyle; 

 the Internal Septum from the Lesser Trochanter along the inner lip to the Tendon 

 of the Adductor Magnus. The figures shew the different positions of the Femoral 

 Artery. In V\g. 174 it Hes just above the slit in the Adductor on the inner side, 

 and slightly anterior to the Bone. In Fig. 175 it has already reached the posterior 

 aspect of the Bone. The Deep Femoral Artery is still visible as a large vessel 

 in Fig. 174 between the Adductor Longus and Adductor Magnus. It diminishes 

 rapidly in size by giving off the Perforating Arteries. 



While the Anterior Crural Nerve divides rapidly into its branches so much 

 so that the main trunk is no longer evident in our figures, the Sciatic Nerve 

 remains distinct on the back of the thigh, being well surrounded by fat and lying 

 in the triangular space between the Adductors and the already diverging Flexors. 

 In Fig. 175 the nerve has already divided into External and Internal Popliteal 

 Nerves, which, however, lie in close apposition. 



The Adductors and Flexors are less distinctly separated from each other 

 than they are from the Extensors. The Sartorius has throughout its course a 

 special canal, formed by the .splitting of the Superficial layer of the Fascia. This 

 statement holds good also for the Gracilis and Rectus in the upper part of 

 the thigh. 



The thin special fasciae of the F"lexors and Adductors are easily perforated 

 b}- pus. They are practically lymph spaces between the muscle.s and their neigh- 

 bouring parts. 



