98 TOPOaEAPHlCAL ANATOMY OF 



that separates the muscles of the two limbs. At the distal part of the 

 thigh the fleshy portion of the muscle merges into an aponeurotic tendon, 

 which is connected with a similar tendon of the sartorius. The inser- 

 tion of the muscle is to the most medial of the three patellar ligaments, 

 the medial surface of the tibia, and the deep fascia of the leg. 



M. SAETOEius. — The narrow and comparatively thin sartorius^ 

 muscle takes its origin from the iliac fascia and the tendon of the psoas 

 minor muscle. The origin, therefore, cannot be determined at the 

 present stage of the dissection. In the groin, the muscle appears under 

 the inguinal ligament (of Poupart), and thence follows the anterior 

 border of the gracilis. The insertion of its thin tendon is to the most 

 medial of the patellar ligaments in common with part of the insertion 

 of the gracilis. 



Dissection. — Eeflect the gracilis and sartorius muscles by cutting 

 across them about the middle of their length. In turning aside the 

 proximal portion of each muscle the nerve of supply should be secured. 

 The nerve to the gracihs is derived from the obturator ; that of the 

 sartorius is a branch of the saphenous. 



The elongated group of deep inguinal lymph glands (lymphoglandulae 

 inguinales profundse), which occupy the space between the sartorius 

 and pectineus muscles and overlie the femoral vessels, must be examined 

 and then removed. 



The structures now to be dissected are the femoral vessels in the 

 greater part of their course, and the medial vastus, pectineus, adductor, 

 and semimembranosus muscles. 



, M. VASTUS MEDiALis. — The medial vastus ^ is one of a group of four 

 Tjpwerful muscles clothing the anterior surface of the femur known 

 collectively as the quadriceps muscle (m. quadriceps femoris). The 

 origin of the medial vastus is from the neck and nearly the whole of 

 the medial surface of the femur. Its insertion is to the patella and its 

 complementary cartilage. 



M. PECTINEUS. — The rounded tapering pectineus ^ muscle lies medial 

 to the vastus and largely under cover of the gracilis. Its origin is from 

 the pecten of the pubis, the tendinous pubic attachment of the straight 

 abdominal muscle, and the accessory ligament of the hip joint. The 

 narrow tendinous insertion is to a muscular impression close to the 

 nutrient foramen of the femur. 



M. ADDUCTOR.— The strong adductor is entirely covered by the 

 gracilis. The origin of the muscle is from an elongated area on the 

 ventral surface of the pubis and ischium, close to the pelvic symphysis, 



1 Sartor [L.], a tailor. The muscle is said to be well developed in tailors, owing 

 to the special attitude assumed when sewing. 



2 Vastus [L.], great, vast, immense. 



3 Pecten [L.], a comb ; from the connection of the muscle with the pecten of the 

 pubis. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



