DISSECTION OF TUB POSTEBIOE LIMB. 



85 



the synovial membranes of the joint, and is partly adherent to the 

 semilunar cartilages and posterior crucial ligament. The ligament 

 presents apertures for the transmission of vessels to the interior of 

 the joint. 



Synovial Membranes. These are two in number, one for each con- 

 dyle of the femur and corresponding part of the articular surface of the 

 tibia. They are separated from each other by the crucial ligaments in 





Fig. 4. 



A. Femoko-tibial Ligaments, back view. 



1. External lateral ligament ; 2. Internal lateral ligament ; 3. Inner semilunar fibro-cartilage ; 

 4. Outer semilunar fibro-cartilage, with 5, and 6, the femoral and tibial attachments fcoronary 

 ligaments) of its posterior extremity ; 7. Posterior crucial iigaraent; 8. Anterior crucial ligament; 

 0. Head of fibula. 



B. Antero-posterior Vertical Section of the Femobo-tibtal Articulation to show 

 THE Crccial Ligament.';. 



1. The posterior crucial ligament ; 2. Anterior crucial ligament ; 3. E.^cternal lateral ligament ; 

 4, 5, and 6, as in A. 



the interior of the joint ; while behind and at the sides they line the 

 posterior and lateral ligaments. In front they are in contact with the 

 synovial capsule of the femoro-patellar articulation, and are supported 

 by a pad of fat, which separates them from the straight ligaments of 

 the patella. A communication frequently exists in front between these 

 synovial capsules and that for the gliding of the patella. These 

 synovial membranes invest the semilunar cartilages ; and the external 



