CHAP. V. Of the Nerves which proceed from the Marrow of Os sacrum, and of the Nerves of the whole Foot.
OUt of the spinal Marrow contained in the Os sacrum, there arises five pare of Nerves, or as some reckon them six pare, out of the four, uppermost of which, and the three lowest of the Loyns, arise the crural Nerves, descen∣ding between the Feet, which being in their Rise joyned like a little Net, do soon after sprinkle three branches from themselves, as shall be said by and by touching the Nerves of the Feet.
Now the first par•• of Nerves of Os sacrum, is divided like the Lumbal Nerves, into a foremore and hindermore branch. But the five following Pares otherwise. For be∣fore they go out, they are on each side double, and on each side one Nerve goes into the fore parts, another into the hinder parts. The hindermore branches are diss∣minated like the hinder Lumbals, viz, into the hinder∣more neighbouring parts.
The three foremore which are uppermost, do go into the Thigh, the two lower to the Muscles of the Funda∣ment and Bladder; and some to the Interfoemineum and Scrotum.
Moreover, the end of the Marrow of the* 1.1 Back, doth produce only one branch out of it self which is therfore termed Sine pari, with∣out a Ma••e or fellow; yet somtimes it hath a fellow. It spends it self into the Skin, between the Buttocks and the Fundament, and into certain Muscles of the Thigh.
Now follow the Nerves which go into the Thigh, which before were said to be four in number.
The first and third are shorter, and reach only to the Thigh, the second is longer, and goes also to the Leg, the fourth is longest of all.
The first being made up of the third and fourth pares of the Loyns, descending to the small Trochanter, spends it self into the Skin and Muscles of the Thigh, and some of the Leg, and is ended above the Knee.
The second arising from the same place, descends with the Vein and Artery to the Thigh through the Groyns, it goes to the foremore Muscles of the Thigh, and is spread about the Knee. But it sends a remarkable branch inwardly with the Saphaena to the Ankle.
The third arises in the Articulation of the fourth and fift Vertebra, passes through the hole of Os pubis, to some upper Muscles of the Thigh and Yard, arising out of the Os pubis; and to the Skin of the Thigh in the Groyn.
The fourth is the thickest, longest, hardest and driest in the whole body, made up of four pare of the Os sacrum; it furnishes the Skin of the Thigh, and certain Muscles thereof, as also of the Log and Foot. I have somtimes ob∣served this to have a double rise, and a double progress, the one External the other Internal.
But that same great Trunk under the Ham, is divided into an external and an internal Branch.
The external goes to the Ham, the outside of the Foot, the Musculi peronaei, and the outer Ankle.
The Internal and greater goes along the Leg to the Mus∣cles of the Feet and Foes; the inner Ankle, the great Toe and sole of the Foot: and bestows two twigs upon each Toe.
All the Nerves therefore well-neer, which go into the whole Leg and Foot, do arise from the only greatest crural Nerve.