The Posterior Limb. 233 



The muscular attachments should be removed from about the 

 articular capsules and the structures examined as follows: 



A. The hip-joint (articulatio coxae) is an enarthrosis, formed 

 by the head of the femur with the parts of the ischium, ilium, and 

 the OS acetabuli enclosing, the acetabulum, together with the 

 articular capsule (capsula articularis) and accessory ligaments. 



The articular capsule extends from the acetabular margin to the 

 proximal end of the neck of the femur. It is strongest on its dorsal 

 side, but is especially thickened at three points, forming the ischio- 

 capsular (dbrsal), iliofemoral (anterior), and pubocapsular 

 (ventral) ligaments. 



By dividing the capsule, the contents of the joint and the smooth 

 articular surfaces may be examined ; also the attachment of the head 

 of the femur to the wall of the acetabular foSsa through the round 

 ligament (lig. teres. 'femoris). The glenoid lip (labrum glenoi- 

 dale) is the ring of fibrocartilage surrounding the ma gin of the 

 acetabulum' and connecting with the articular capsule. 



B. The knee-joint (articulatio genu) is a hinge-joint or 

 ginglymus with a slight spiral trend. It is formed by the articular 

 surfaces of the medial and lateral condyles of the femur and tibia, 

 w'ith the associated articular capsule, ligarftents, and inarticular 

 fibrdcartilages (see section. Fig. 13). 



The tibial collateral ligament (lig. collaterale tibiale) is a 

 stout band of connective tissue stretching fr jm the medial condyle 

 of the femur to the posteromedial angle of the medial condyle of the 

 tibia. 



The fibular collateral ligament is a similar structure con- 

 necting the lateral condyle of the femur with the anterior surface 

 of the head of the fibula. 



The sesamoid bones of the popliteal region have articular sur- 

 faces taking part in the formation of the joint. That on the medial 

 condyle of the femur is contained in the medial head of the gastro- 

 cnemius, that on the lateral condyle of this bone in the lateral head 

 of the gastrocnemius and the plantaris, and that on the lateral tibia 

 condyle in the popliteus. 



The common tendon of the quadriceps femoris, the patella, and 

 the patellar ligament are associated with the capsule, forming the 

 anterior wall of the joint. 



