438 FASCIA* 



and then to the pectineus, to become the peotineal fascia, in alF 

 of which distance it is continuous with the iliac fascia of the 

 pelvis; but the anterior lamina of the fascia at this place has its 

 upper margin continuous with-Poupart's ligament; and this la- 

 mina terminates in a point or angle, which is turned inward to 

 the crista of the pubes, and ends by an insertion into it immedi- 

 ately exterior to Gimbernat's ligament, and in the same line 

 with it. This point, from the part which it acts in femoral her- 

 nia, has been studied with particular attention, and goes under 

 ihe name of Key's, or the Femoral Ligament. 



The Pectineal fascia is placed behind the femoral vessels, but 

 the sartorial fascia is before them.* The latter terminates on 

 its pubic side, in a crescentic or lunated edge of one and a half 

 or two inches in length, the concavity of which is towards the 

 penis.f Hey's ligament is the superior extremity of the cres- 

 cent; the inferior end can scarcely be considered to have a de- 

 finite boundary, but is continuous with the adjacent part of the 

 pectineal fascia. The place of continuity is covered by the sa- 

 phena vein, which being between the skin and the fascia lata, 

 dips there into the femoral vein which is under the crescentic 

 edge. The femoral vessels reposing in their sheaths, are then 

 placed between these laminoe of the fascia femoris. The vein 

 is only partially covered by the lunated edge, while the artery, 

 which is on the iliac side of the vein, is completely concealed. 

 By keeping the leg extended, and turning the toes of the subject 

 inwards or outwards, it will be seen that the crescentic edge 

 and the tendon of the external oblique exercise a mutual ten- 

 sion. Beneath Poupart's ligament, at the inner margin of the 

 femoral vein, is the hole called the Femoral Ring, through which 

 the bowel escapes in femoral hernia. This hole is constricted 

 by turning the toes outwards, and relaxed by turning them in- 

 wards;, it becomes very much relaxed, if, at the same time, the 



* By sartorial fascia is merely meant the portion of the fascia luta femoris con- 

 tiguous to the sartorius muscle; and, by pectineal fascia, the part covering- the 

 pectineus muscle. 



f The crescentic edge is not always well defined, for in many cases it is blend- 

 ed insensibly with the sheath of the vessels, so that a defined exhibition of it is, 

 l&thev the. result of artificial separation or disseqtion. than a, natural condition,'. 



