i*>l Inguinal Hernia, &c. [Book IX. 



vertebrae, from the upper part of the facrum, and from 

 the fpine of the ileuin y the whole length between the 

 pofterior and fuperior anterior fpinous procefs. Pafiing 

 obliquely upwards, it is inferted into the cartilaginous 

 part of all the falfe ribs and the two loweft of the true, 

 to the enfiform cartilage and to the fternum. At its 

 anterior part it becomes tendinous, and dividing, re- 

 ceives the rectus mufcle between its feparate portions. 

 Its pofterior portion is connected with the tendon of 

 the tranfverfalis mufcle, its anterior with the linea alba. 

 At its loweft part it is inferted into the anterior part of 

 the os pubis. Its ufe is to affiftthe former, but k 

 bends the trunk in the reverfe direction. 



The tranfverfalis has nearly the fame origins as the 

 internal oblique. It is inferted into the cartilago enfi- 

 formis above, and into the whole length of the linea 

 alba, except at its lowermoft part. It fupports and 

 comprefTes the abdominal vifcera. 



The rectus abdominis arifes from the cartilago enfi- 

 formis and the cartilages of the three loweft true ribs. 

 In its courfe downwards it paflcs through the fheath 

 formed by the divifion of the tendon of the internal 

 oblique, having the tendon of the external oblique 

 without, and that of the tranfverfalis within. The 

 rectus is generally divided ,by three tendinous in* 

 terfections. Below it is connected to the ofla pubis, 

 where they are joined to each other. The ufe of this 

 mufcle is to comprefs the fore part, and more particu- 

 larly the lower part of the abdomen. It alfo bends the 

 trunk forwards, or raifes the pelvis towards the fter- 

 num. By being furrounded by the tendons of other 

 mufcleS, it is prevented from ftarting from its fituation. 



The pyramidales are a fhort pair of mufcles, fre- 

 quently wanting ; they arife from the ofifa pubis, and 

 are inferted into the linea alba about half way between 

 them and the navel, They affift the rectus, 



The 



