MUSCLES OF THE PARIETES OF THE ABDOMEN. "393 



i 



On removing the peritoneum from the iliacus internus mus- 

 cle, the spermatic vessels are seen to descend from the loins 

 to the internal ring, where they are joined by the vas deferens 

 coming from the pelvis. As they engage under the edge of 

 the internal oblique muscle, after penetrating the ring, the cre- 

 master muscle is detached to spread itself over them. The 

 spermatic chord, thus constructed, passes through the abdominal 

 canal in the manner mentioned, obliquely downwards and in- 

 wards; and, emerging from the external ring, it descends ver- 

 tically, lying rather upon the outer column of the ring than 

 upon its base. 



On the posterior face of the fascia transversalis, between it 

 and the peritoneum, is the Epigastric Artery. The epigastric 

 arises from the external iliac as the latter is about to go under 

 the crural arch; it ascends inwardly along the internal margin 

 of the internal abdominal ring to the exterior margin of the 

 rectus abdominis muscle, which it reaches after a course of 

 two and a half or three inches. The spermatic chord, in get- 

 ting from the abdomen to the abdominal canal, therefore, 

 winds, in part, around the epigastric artery; in the first of its 

 course being at the iliac edge of the artery, and then in front 

 of it. Two epigastric veins attend the artery, one on each 

 of its sides, and end by a common trunk in the external iliac 

 vein. 



The anatomical arrangement of the parts concerned in in- 

 guinal hernia in the female is the same as in the male, except 



Chirurgicale, 3d Edition, 1838,) both, unquestionably, works of much merit. 

 The practical anatomist may, however, ask, if all of the laminae described as such 

 be fasciee, what has become of the cellular substance which formerly entered so 

 largely into the composition of the human body ? Will he not rather find verbal 

 novelties than new existences? A sound anatomical verdict is yet to be given on 

 these points: our own opinion is, that anatomy is too staid a science for mere 

 caprices in description and names, and that such innovations cannot possibly be- 

 come oecumenical. The introduction of a new name in the place of an old one 

 is the highest act of medical authority, and is so seldom sanctioned by general 

 suffrage, that an individual inclining to it may well pause, lest, in so doing, he 

 may seal up his own publications, by the use of terms too little known to be con- 

 venient or desirable. 



