Chapter X discusses the internal structure of human figures, emphasizing the skeleton and joints of the legs. It explains how knowledge of the skeleton aids in understanding muscles and body movement. Two skeletons are used to illustrate different positions, supported by descriptions and diagrams.
Chapter X.
Of the Internal Structure or Sketch of Human Figures, namely, the Joint and Coupling of the Legs.
Let us now discuss the skeleton, or, to put it artistically, the sketch and internal structure of human figures; so that, having fundamental knowledge of this, we may better understand everything we note about the muscles, and to ensure that through this, it may also be seen that everything we've said about the mobility and movement of figures aligns perfectly with the internal framework and the coupling of the limbs. There is no action or movement of the body, which refers to the visible and external flesh, that is possible without being attributed to the internal structure of the bones. Just as bones in a house frame or gears in a clock work together, they cannot endure any inconsistency.
Since we will often need to indicate in the study of muscles which muscle moves which bone, and where around which joint and coupling it is placed, we have provided two skeletons that can be seen in different positions, made clearer by the accompanying text letters in the sketch and the subsequent explanation.
Translation Notes
'Gebeenten' is translated as 'skeletons' or 'bones'. 'Schets' refers to a 'sketch' or 'diagram'.