31 



runs cephalad on the side of the vagina to which it gives branches and 

 ramifies on the body of the uterus, anastomosing with the anterior and 

 middle uterine arteries. 



N. femoralis (PL V, 46, PI. VII, 14) originates from the ventral divisions of 

 the 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th lumbar nerves; very commonly however, the branch 

 from the 6th lumbar nerve is wanting. Turn aside or remove the iliac 

 fascia from the ventral surface of the subltimbar muscles. The proximal 

 portion of the N. femoralis is covered by the M. psoas parvus. Transect 

 this muscle a little caudal to the A. circumfiexa iliaca and turn its distal 

 portion toward the median plane. The large N. femoralis will now be 

 seen to have the same general direction ventro-caudally, as the A. iliaca 

 externa. Transect the psoas magnus at the same level as the psoas parvus; 

 separate the two muscles from each other suihciently to trace theN. femoral- 

 is to its respective places of origin from the 3d, 4th, 5th, and 6th, if present, 

 lumbar nerves (PI. V, iii, iv, v). Near its origin the N. femoralis Hes at 

 about the same level as the A. iliaca externa. At the ventral border of the 

 tendon of the psoas parvus where the nerve passes under the anterior end of 

 the M. sartorius (PI. V, 11), the nerve lies just anterior to the artery but is 

 separated from it by the tendon of the psoas parvus which lies between the 

 artery and the nerve (PI. V, 8'). 



Branches of the N. femoralis. 



The first branch of the N. femoralis is given off a little peripheral to 

 the place of junction of the ventral divisions of the 3d, and 4th lumbar 

 nerves. It is a small branch supplied to the psoas magnus. The next 

 branch, much larger than the preceding, leaves the N. femoralis a little 

 peripheral to the junction of the 4th and 5th lumbar nerves. This second 

 branch extends laterally between the psoas magnus and the iliacus and 

 divides into several branches which are distributed to the M. iliacus; one 

 or more small filaments may go to the psoas magnus. The remaining 

 portion of the N. femoralis may be exposed as follows: Cut the femoral 

 aponeurosis near its attachment to the M. obliquus externus and remove it. 

 With the fingers, principally, dissect between the muscles of the thigh and the 

 posterior face of the inguinal ligament, leaving the ligament intact. Identify 

 the M. sartorius and note its relation, together with that of the iliacus and 

 the psoas magnus, to the inguinal ligament. Free the sartorius from its 

 attachment to the iliac fascia. Dissect between the sartorius and the 

 M. gracilis taking care not to injure the nerve and blood-vessels that 

 emerge from between these two muscles near the middle of the thigh. 

 Transect the sartorius near the middle of the thigh. Draw aside the 



