SUPERIOR TIBIO-FIBULAR ARTICULATION. —The head of the fibula is in contact with the external tuberosity of the tibia. The for mer is furnished with an articulating surface which has an aspect upwards, forwards, and in wards, whilst the articular facet on the latter is placed rather towards the posterior part of the tuberosity of the tibia, and is directed downwards, backwards, and outwards. Both surfaces are almost perfectly plane, their form is circular, and they are encrusted with arti cular cartilage ; hence this articulation is to be referred to the class arthrodia.
a. The ligaments of this joint are two in number, named, from their relative positions, anterior and posterior ligaments.
1. The anterior ligament of the superior tibio-fibular articulation, is composed of a fas ciculus of white fibrous bands, which are all parallel to each other. It passes from the tibia downwards and outwards to the head of the fibula, running in front of the synovial membrane of the articulation which it defends. The extensor digitorum communis muscle covers this ligament anteriorly.
2. The posterior ligament follows a similar direction on the posterior aspect of the joint ; but the fibres which compose it are neither so numerous nor so strong as those of the pre ceding; this ligament is covered posteriorly by the poplitmus muscle.
Lastly, the tendon of the biceps (flexor cruris), by its attachment to the head of the fibula, contributes, in no inconsiderable de gree, to the security of the articulation.
b. Synomal is nothing, in the anatomical disposition of the synovial membrane of this articulation, which requires any particular notice ; but the surgeon should remember that it is always in close proximity to the serous sac of the knee joint, and that in many instances the two synovial membranes communicate with each other. The synovial membrane of the knee joint is brought into this close relationship with that of the tibio fibular articulation, by means of a prolonga tion which passes downwards from the former around the tendon of the poplitmus muscle ; and when a communication does exist between the two articulations, it will therefore be found at the posterior aspect of the head of the fibula.
This anatomical arrangement has an import ant bearing on a disputed point of practice, viz. the extirpation of the head of the fibula in amputations of the leg near the knee joint. This proceeding, recommended originally by Larrey and Garriques, and subsequently re vived by Mr. Guthrie, has been opposed by Mr. Adams of Dublin, who, appealing to the anatomical peculiarities just described, makes them the grounds for rejecting altogether the innovation in question. (Vide " ABNORMAL