MUSCLES OF THE ABDOMEN. 39 1 



netrating the fascia transversalis, does not cross, directly at 

 right angles, the inferior edge of the internal oblique and trans- 

 versalis, but it slips under them very obliquely ; its inclination 

 being towards the pubes, so that it can be considered as disen- 

 gaged from the inferior edge of these muscles, only about the 

 middle of the abdominal canal. 



The opening in the Fascia Transversalis, or the Internal 

 Ring, is not abrupt and well defined; but the fascia, where it 

 transmits the spermatic chord,, is reflected by a thin process, 

 and terminates insensibly in its cellular substance. At the pos- 

 terior or ventral face of the External Ring, the fascia transver- 

 salis is not in contact with the cord; but that part of the ten- 

 don of the internal oblique and transversalis^which is inserted 

 into the crista of the pubes, and forms a sheath for the pyrami- 

 dalis muscle, is placed between them, and secures this opening. 



The peritoneum covers the posterior face of the fascia trans- 

 versalis, and is thrown into a duplicature or falciform process, 

 passing from near the middle of the crural arch towards the 

 umbilicus. This duplicature depends upon the round ligament 

 of the bladder, which was once the umbilical artery of the foe- 

 tus. It is broader near the pelvis than it is above, has its loose 

 edge turned towards the cavity of the abdomen, and ascends 

 near the pubic margin of the Internal Ring. The effect of its 

 existence is to divide the posterior face of the inguinal region 

 into two shallow fossae; one next to the ilium, and the other 

 next to the pubes. The one next to the ilium contains the be- 

 ginning of the internal abdominal ring, which is frequently 

 marked by a little pouch of peritoneum, going along the sper- 

 matic chord for a few lines. The fossa on the inner or pubic 

 side of the falciform process is just behind the external ring, 

 but separated from it by the fascia transversalis, along with the 

 tendon of the lower part of the internal oblique and of the 

 transversalis muscle, where it is inserted into the pubes, and 

 forms the sheath of the pyramidalis. The two fossae indicate 

 the points where inguinal hernias commence ; the proper ingui- 

 nal protrusion begins in the external fossa, and the ventro-in- 

 guinal sometimes in the internal fossa. 



The view of the fascia transversalis from behind is extremely 

 satisfactory. For a proper knowledge of this membrane, the 

 profession is indebted to the labours of Sir Astley Cooper ; and 



