THE FEMORAL ARTERY 197 



and outwards between the sartorius and the common tendon of the 

 iliacus and psoas magnus muscles. It then runs forwards to be placed 

 alongside the anterior crural nerve and passes into the interstice between 

 the vastus internus and rectus temoris muscles. It splits up into 

 ramuscules which are expended in the mass of the quadriceps extensor 

 cruris. During its course it gives off branches to the sartorius, the 

 iliacus, and psoas magnus muscles. Other branches of the femoral 

 artery are distributed to the pectineus, the gracilis, and both the adductor 

 muscles. 



IV. The Nutrient Artery to the Femur. — This is, perhaps, the largest 

 vessel of its kind in the body. It is detached from the parent vessel 

 near the tendon of insertion of the pectineus muscle, and passes obliquely 

 downwards, forwards, and outwards to enter the bone immediately above 

 the superior extremity of the femoral groove. 



V. The Saphena Artery. — This is a very long but extremely slender 

 vessel. It leaves the middle of the femoral artery at an acute angle, and 

 passes obliquely downwards and outwards between the sartorius and 

 gracilis muscles, to become superficially placed on the inner aspect of the 

 thigh alongside the saphena vein. During this part of its course it may 

 be found to pierce one or other of the two muscles mentioned. It then 

 runs down the superficial aspect of the gracilis in front of the saphena 

 vein, and divides on the inner aspect of the upper third of the tibia into 

 two branches. One of these follows the course taken to the hock by 

 the anterior root of the vein, whilst the other follows the posterior root 

 and usually terminates near the calcis by anastomosing with a small 

 branch of the posterior tibial artery. 



VI. Articular Branch to the Stifle Joint. — This is a very slender branch 

 which leaves the parent vessel just above its inferior extremity and 

 which reaches the joint by passing downwards between the vastus 

 internus and adductor magnus muscles. 



VII. The Femoro-Popliteal Artery. — Where this branch is detached 

 from the femoral artery the latter may be said to terminate. The 



