12 JOURNAL OF THE 



thin aponeurosis, which is closely bound to the subja- 

 cent rectus abdo?ninis, and unites with its fellow of the 

 opposite side along- the li7?ea alba. This aponeurosis 

 extends from the sy?nphysis pubis, to which it is at- 

 tached, forwards to the level of the ninth costal carti- 

 lag"e. The anterior part of the aponeurosis underlies 

 (is dorsal to) the most posterior pectoral muscle. The 

 posterior and external edg-e of the aponeurosis, extend- 

 ing- from the symphysis pubis obliquely dorsally and 

 posteriorly, is known as Pouparfs lig-ament. Near 

 the symphysis the aponeurosis is perforated by an ap- 

 erture, the external abdominal ring"^ which is the ex- 

 ternal opening" of the iiig-uinal canal. This aperture 

 lies between Pouparf s ligament and the rest of the 

 aponeurosis. 



Synonymy. Oblique-interne abdominal, S.-D., vol. 

 II, p. 314; external oblique, M., p. 141; external 

 oblique, G. & T., p. 28. 



Mivart is wrong" in stating* that the muscle arises 

 from the eig-Jit last ribs; and that Poupart's lig-ament 

 extends from the symphysis pubis to the Ilium. The 

 latter statement is true of human anatomy; but in the 

 cat the lig-ament (or free edg-e of the aponeurosis) passes 

 in front of the ilium, having- no connection with it. 

 Gorham and Tower commit the same mistakes. 



The account g-iven of the muscle both by Mivart and 

 Gorham and Tower would indicate that Poupart's 

 lig-ament is something- distinct from the tendon or ap- 

 oneurosis of the external oblique. Mivart in this mat- 

 ter, is not intellig-ible. He states that the aponeurosis 

 divides into external and internal tendons, between 

 which lies the "external abdominal ring-," bounded in 

 front by Poupart's lig-ament. Possibly the "in front" 

 is a misprint, for the lig-ament lies behind the abdomi- 

 nal ring-. 



