The anatomy of humane bodies epitomized wherein all parts of man's body, with their actions and uses, are succinctly described, according to the newest doctrine of the most accurate and learned modern anatomists / by a Fellow of the College of Physicians, London.

CHAP. XXI.

Of the Thigh-bone, and Patella.

THE Leg (in a large sense) is divided into three parts, the Thigh, the Shank (or Leg strictly so called) and Foot.

The Thigh hath but one Bone:* 1.1 but of all o∣thers it is the longest and thickest. Before, it is round: but behind, something depressed and hol∣low. In the upper part it has a round head; the slender part under this is called its Neck, and is pretty long and oblique. The Neck is an Apo∣physis or process to the Bone it self, and the round Head an Epiphysis or Appendix to the Neck. This Head is received by the large Cavity or Ace∣tabulum of the Coxendix, and is detained therein by two strong Ligaments; one that encompasses the brims of the Acetabulum, and another that springs out of its bottom, and is inserted into the tip of this round Head or Appendix. At the lower end of the Neck there spring two Promi∣nences; which, because the Muscles called Rota∣tores are fastned to them, are called Trochanteres. The hinder and lower is the lesser Trochanter; and the lateral or uppermost, the bigger. The lower end of the Thigh-bone growing thicker by degrees

hath two pretty large Prominences or Heads, leaving a cavity in the middle which receiveth the Apophysis of the Tibia: And again these Pro∣minences are received by the cavities of the Tibia, by a ••oose Ginglymus, both the Prominences and Cavi••ies being lined with Cartilages. The fore∣part of this articulation is called the Knee, the hindermost the Ham.

Upon the Knee appeareth a Bone,* 1.2 not joined with any other Bone, called the Pan, or Patella: it is roundish, about two inches broad, plain without, having many holes; but within bunched, covered with a Cartilage. It is set before the Thigh-bone and the Tibia, to strengthen the ar∣ticulation; for otherwise the Thigh-bone would be in danger to slip out forward in going down a Hill, or the like. It cleaveth to the Knee by the thick Tendons of the second, third, and fourth Muscles that extend the Tibia, which pass under the Patella to it, and are implanted into its fore∣knob. Two Ligaments fasten the articulation of the Thigh-bone with the Tibia: the one fastens the Cartilage that environs the brims of the Sinus of the Tibia, the other rises out of the Apophysis of the Tibia, and is inserted into the Sinus of the Thigh-bone.

Behind there are two Ossa sesamoidea, which adhere to the two beginnings of the first Muscles which move the Foot, to strengthen them. Great wounds of the Ham are mortal, by reason of the great Vessels which pass that way.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Os femo∣ris.
• * 1.2

  Patella.