Myotomia reformata, or, A new administration of all the muscles of humane bodies wherein the true uses of the muscles are explained, the errors of former anatomists concerning them confuted, and several muscles not hitherto taken notice of described : to which are subjoin'd a graphical description of the bones, and other anatomical observations : illustrated with figures after the life / by William Cowper, Surgeon.

Perforans.

Because its Tendons run through those of the Former, it's also called Profundus from its Situation, and Tertii Internodii Digitorum Flexor from its Use. It Ariseth Fleshy from near two Thirds of the Superior and Fore-part of the Ulna (26), as also from the* 1.1 Ligament between the last named Bone and Radius, becoming a Large Thick Bellied Muscle, grows out∣wardly Tendinous before it passes over the Pronator Radii Quadratus, and is divided into Four Round Tendons which march under those of the for∣mer Muscle beneath the Ligamentum Transversale abovementioned, (from each of these Tendons the Musculi Lumbricales are said to Arise) after which they pass through the Fissur's of those of the Former, and proceeding over their extremities, Terminate in the superior and fore-part of the third Bone of each Finger. (30.)* 1.2

The Tendons of the last described Muscle running through those of the Precedent, is a no less Useful then Stu∣pendous Artifice in Nature.

To the end the Fingers (like so many Leavers) should be Bended with great Force, it is absolutely necessary the strongest Muscle should be Insert∣ed nearest their Extremities, and far∣thest from their Fulcimina the Ossa Me∣tacarpi: But in regard every Inter∣node should be attended with a parti∣cular Muscle, the better to accommo∣date them to various Imployments, and the Origination of the superior or Perforatus is confined to the Apex of the Internal Extuberance of the Os Humeri and upper part of the Radius only, wherefore could not be a fit In∣strument for so Strenuous an Action, and that not only in regard to its Magnitude, but by the Approach of its two Extreams when the Cubit or Carpus are Bended; both which would be no small impediments in divers Actions; it's therefore necessary it should be imployed in the Motions of the second Internodes: But since these superior Tendons would be hereby liable to interrupt the Inferior in their Right progress to the Extremities of the Fingers, it seems an Argument of great Counsel in transmitting the Lat∣ter through the Fissures of each of the

Former, whereby the Actions of Both are not only distinctly performed, and the extremities of the Fingers attend∣ed with the Largest Muscle, (whose Origin is below the Os Humeri, where∣fore its Extreams cannot approach in the Flexion of the Cubit) but their Motions are preserved, though the Superior Muscle is totally divided, which indeed is a Provident Contri∣vance of the Author of Nature, and is in it self sufficient to excite our Ad∣miration.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Fig. xvii.
• * 1.2

  Fig. xvii.