OBLIQUE INGUIXAL EEHNIiE. 



Fi?. 234. 



.53/ 



Fig. 234. — The Inguinal Canal and Femoral Sheath fullt exposed. 



The lower part of the external oLlique has been removed (with the exception of 

 Poupart's ligament), a portion of the internal oblique raised, and the transversalis 

 muscle and fascia brought into view. The femoral artery and vein are seen to a small 

 extent, the fascia lata having been turned aside and the sheath of blood-vessels laid 

 open. 1, external oblique muscle ; 2, internal oblique ; 2', part of same turned up ; 

 3, transversalis muscle. Upon the last-named muscle is seen a branch of the circumflex 

 iliac artery, with its companion veins ; 4, transversalis fascia ; 5, spermatic cord covered 

 with the infundibuliform fascia. 6, upper angle of the iliac part of fascia lata ; 7, the 

 sheath of the femoral vessels ; 8, femoral artery ; i), femoral vein ; 10, saphenous vein ; 

 11, a vein joining it. 



length of the canal, passes at once through its posterior Tvall at a point 

 opposite the external abdominal ring, the hernia is named, Irom its 

 course, direct, or, from its relation to the epigastric artery, iniernal. 



Oblique inguinal hernia. — In the common form of this hernia the 

 protruded viscus carries before it a covering of peritoneum (the mc of 

 the hernia), derived from the outer fossa of that serous membrane ; 

 and, in passing along the inguinal canal to the scrotum, it is succes- 

 sively clothed with the coverings given to the spermatic cord from the 

 abdominal parietes. The hernia and its sac lie directly in front of i\\% 

 vessels of the spermatic cord, and do not extend below the testis, even 

 when the disease is of long standing. 



When the hernia does not extend beyond the inguinal canal, it is distinguished 

 by the name hiihonoeeh- : and when it reaches the scrotum, it is commonly named 

 from that circumstance scrotnl hernia. 



There are two other varieties of oblique ingufeial hernia, in which the 

 peculiarity depends on the condition of the process of peritoneum that accom- 

 panies the testis when this organ is moved from the abdomen. In ordinary 

 circumstances the part of the peritoneum connected immediately with the 

 testis, becomes separated after biith from the general ca-vity of that serous 



VOL. I. ^ 



