FASCIA LATA FEMORAL RING. 257 



divides into two layers ; the anterior layer is continuous with that 

 portion of the iliac fascia which forms the sheath of the iliacus and 

 psoas muscles, and the posterior layer is lost upon the capsule of 

 the hip-joint. 



The interval between the falciform border of the iliac portion and 

 the opposite surface of the pubic portion is closed by a fibrous layer, 

 which is pierced by numerous openings for the passage of lymphatic 

 vessels, and is thence named cribriform fascia. The cribriform 

 fascia is connected with the sheath of the femoral vessels, and forms 

 one of the coverings of femoral hernia. When the iliac portion of 

 the fascia lata is removed from its attachment to Poupart's ligament 

 and is turned aside, the sheath of the femoral vessels (the femoral 

 or crural canal) is brought into view ; and if Poupart's ligament be 



Fig. 101* 



carefully divided, the sheath may be isolated, and its continuation 

 with the transversalis and iliac fascia clearly demonstrated. In this 

 view the sheath of the femoral vessels is an infundibiliform continua- 

 tion of the abdominal fasciae, closely adherent to the vessels, a little 

 way down the thigh, but much larger than the vessels it contains at 



* A section of the structures which pass beneath the femoral arch. 1. Poupart's 

 ligament. 2, 2. The iliac portion of the fascia lata, attached along the margin of the 

 crest of the ilium, and along Poupart's ligament, as far as the spine of the os pubis (3). 

 4. The pubic portion of the fascia lata, continuous at 3 with the iliac portion, and pass- 

 ing outwards behind the sheath of the femoral vessels to its outer border at 5, where it 

 divides into two layers ; one is continuous with the sheath of the psoas (6) and iliacus 

 (7); the other (8) is lost upon the capsule of the hip-joint (9). 10. The femoral nerve, 

 enclosed in the sheath of the psoas and iliacus. 11. Gimbernat's ligament. 12. The 

 femoral ring, within the femoral sheath. 13. The femoral vein. 14. The femoral 

 artery: the two vessels and the ring are surrounded by the femoral sheath, and thin 

 septa are sent between the anterior and posterior wall of the sheath, dividing the artery 

 from the vein, and the vein from the femoral ring. 



33 



