- Identify and clean the proximal third of the sartorius and rectus femoris muscles (G 6.21A;N 479;Gl 31.11). Section both muscles approximately 6 cm from their proximal attachments and reflect in the superior direction.
- Identify and remove the femoral artery and vein. Identify and remove the pectineus muscle. (G 6.18A and 6.19A;N 487;Gl 31.11)
- Identify and remove the proximal half of the adductor longus and adductor brevis muscles. (G 6.21A;N 488;Gl 31.11) Do not remove the obturator nerve.
- Identify and clean the iliopsoas muscle. (G 6.21B; N 483; Gl 31.11) Section the iliopsoas approximately 2-4 cm superior to its distal attachment (lesser trochanter). Section the iliopsoas at the level of the inguinal ligament and remove the muscle between the two cuts.
- Identify and clean the obturator externus muscle from its proximal attachment to the neck of the femur. (G 5.36A;N 480;Gl 31.11)
- Identify and clean the joint capsule and the iliofemoral ligament. (G 5.36A;N 474;Gl 31.9B) The ligament blends in with the joint capsule.
- Palpate the head of the femur through the joint capsule while moving the thigh in order to identify the approximate location of the acetabular labrum. Make an incision through the joint capsule paralleling the edge of the labrum to expose (identify) the head of the femur and the edge of the labrum. (G 5.36A;N 474;Gl 31.8)
