Variation in the Muscles and Nerves of the Leg in Two Genera of Grouse (Tympanuchus and Pedioecetes)

by E. Bruce Holmes

Fisher and Goodman (1955) apply the name femoritibialis externus to the muscle unit that I here term the pars postica of M. vastus lateralis. The reasons for this change are discussed in the section on terminology.

T. pallidicinctus

General Description and Relations.—Thick; on lateral surface of femur deep to M. extensor iliotibialis lateralis; anterior to M. extensor iliofibularis and lateral to M. vastus medialis; much of lateral surface, except proximal part, fused with overlying M. extensor iliotibialis lateralis; deep surface of anterior half fused with M. vastus medialis; proximal part overlapping, but usually not fusing with, insertions of Mm. iliacus and caudofemoralis; partially separable into two parts—pars lateralis and pars postica, former constituting main part of muscle; latter considerably smaller and situated deep to posterodistal part of pars lateralis, except for posterodistal part extending posterior to edge of pars lateralis; proximal part of pars postica strongly fused with pars lateralis; posterodistal tendinous edge of pars lateralis fused or not fused with lateral surface of pars postica; proximal end (narrow) of pars postica tendinous and variable in length.

Origin.—Pars lateralis: This arises fleshily from most of the lateral surface and (distally) from the anterior surface of the femur, extending anteriorly to the anterior intermuscular line, fusing with M. vastus medialis, and extending posteriorly to the posterolateral intermuscular line (proximally) and the origin of pars postica (distally); the proximal end begins at the level of the distal edge of the insertion of M. iliotrochantericus medius, contacting the insertions of Mm. iliotrochantericus medius, piriformis, and flexor ischiofemoralis, and terminates distally at the level of the proximal ends of the femoral condyles.

Pars postica: This arises fleshily and tendinously (proximal end and deep surface) from the posterolateral surface of approximately the distal half of the femur, extends posteromedially to the posterolateral intermuscular line where it contacts the origin of M. femorocruralis, and extends anteriorly to the level of a line drawn diagonally across the femur from the proximal end of the origin (at the posterolateral intermuscular line) to the proximal end of the external condyle; the distal end is anterior (adjacent) to the attachment of the proximal arm of the tendinous guide loop for M. extensor iliofibularis; the origin is adjacent to, but distinct from, the origin of pars lateralis.

Insertion.—Pars lateralis is fused indistinguishably with M. vastus medialis; these two muscles form the main (middle) part of the patellar tendon, which also receives contributions from pars postica and Mm. femoritibialis internus, extensor iliotibialis lateralis, and extensor iliotibialis anticus; the patellar tendon attaches to the entire rotular crest of the tibia; the patella is situated in the proximal part of this tendon; some deep fleshy fibers of M. vastus lateralis pars lateralis and M. vastus medialis attach to the proximal edge of the patella. Pars postica forms a short narrow tendon that fuses to the lateral part of the tendon of pars lateralis, forming the lateralmost part of the patellar tendon. A broad flat vinculum extends from the lateral surface of the femorofibular fascia (defined under M. flexor perforans et perforatus digiti II) to the deep surface of the lateral part of the patellar tendon; a similar vinculum extends from the medial surface of the internal condyle to the deep surface of the medial part of the patellar tendon.

Innervation.—Two or more branches of the middle division of the femoral nerve penetrate the anterior surface of the fused Mm. vastus lateralis (pars lateralis) and vastus medialis; short twigs emerge from the deep surface of pars lateralis and penetrate the superficial surface of the anteroproximal part of pars postica.

Individual Variation.—The proximal ends of M. vastus medialis and M. vastus lateralis are usually separated by a deep notch. In some legs, a small bundle of fibers forming the anteroproximal part of M. vastus lateralis attaches to the lateral surface of M. vastus medialis anterior to this notch.

T. cupido

Individual Variation.—One leg shows the same variation found in T. pallidicinctus (see above). In several legs, pars lateralis does not extend so far proximally as usual, but begins at the level of insertion of M. piriformis (does not contact the insertion of M. iliotrochantericus medius) and may not overlap M. iliacus. In a few legs, no vincula are associated with the patellar tendon.