FASCLE OP THE ABDOMEN. 54f 



what of a curve, from the femoral artery to the crest of 

 the ilium, enclosing the internal FIG. 170. 



circumflex artery and veins. At 

 this common point of union be- 

 tween these three several struc- 

 tures, protrusion of any of the 

 viscera beneath the crural arch, 

 from the femoral artery outward, 

 is effectually guarded against 

 both by the great strength of this 

 union, and the firm support it 

 gives to all the organs pressing 

 upon this point. 



From an inch and a half to 

 two inches from the spine of the 

 pubis, and about a half or three- 

 quarters of an inch above Poupart's ligament, there is an 

 opening in this fascia, called the internal abdominal ring. 

 It is found about midway between the symphysis of the pubis 

 and spine of the ilium. Through this opening the spermatic 

 cord, or round ligament, passes out of the abdomen. The 

 opening is not distinct, as the cord, in passing through the 

 fascia transversalis, pushes before it a reflection from this 

 fascia, which, from its shape, is called the infwidibuliform, 

 or fascia propria. From this internal ring or opening,, to 

 the external ring in the tendon of the external oblique 

 muscle, there is a canal called the oblique inguinal canal a 

 distance of about eighteen lines, along which the oblique 

 inguinal hernia descends. 



This canal is bounded, in front, by the common integu- 

 ments, superficial fascia, and tendon of the external ob- 

 lique behind, by the fascia transversalis, the conjoined 

 tendons, and triangular ligament below, by Poupart's 



FIG. 170 represents the Transversalis Fascia, and internal ring, a Internal 

 oblique. 6 Part of transversalis. c Arched border of these two muscles form- 

 ing the upper boundary of the inguinal canal, d Poupart's ligament, t Fascia 

 transversalis. /Conjoined tendon of internal oblique and transversalis; letters 

 / form the posterior boundary of the canal, g Internal abdominal ring, k 

 External ring, the dotted lines show the course of the cord. 



