Part 62

DEVELOPMENT OF THE FIBROUS SYSTEM.

I. State of the Fibrous System in the First Age.

The fibres are wanting in most of the fibrous organs of the fœtus.—Softness of these organs at this age.—Varieties of development.—Remarks upon rheumatism. 281

II. State of the Fibrous System in the After Ages.

Phenomena of the adult.—General stiffness in old age. 283

III. Preternatural Development of the Fibrous System. Various tumours exhibit fibres analogous to those of this system. 284

ARTICLE FIFTH.

OF THE FIBROUS MEMBRANES IN GENERAL.

I. Forms of the Fibrous Membranes.

Their double surface.—These membranes are like moulds of their respective organs.—Researches respecting that of the corpus cavernosum.—Experiments which show that it differs essentially from the subjacent spongy texture.—Other researches upon that of the testicle. 285

II. Organization of the Fibrous Membranes. 288

III. Of the Periosteum. Of its Form.

Its two surfaces.—Their adhesion to the bones. 289

Organization of the periosteum.—Preternatural development of its fibres in elephantiasis.—Its connexions with the fibrous bodies in infancy. 291

Development of the periosteum.

Functions of the Periosteum.—In what way it assists ossification.—It relates as much to the fibrous organs as to the bones. 292

IV. Perichondrium.

Experiments upon this membrane. 294

ARTICLE SIXTH.

OF THE FIBROUS CAPSULES.

I. Forms of the Fibrous Capsules.

They are very few.—Arrangement of the two principal ones.—Canal between them and the synovial capsule. 295

II. Functions of the Fibrous Capsules. 296

ARTICLE SEVENTH.

OF THE FIBROUS SHEATHS.

Their division. 297

I. Partial Fibrous Sheaths.

Their form.—Their arrangement.—Why the flexor tendons are alone provided with them. 297