

chap, xix.] SCARPA'S TRIANGLE. 389 



skin, below that at the crural arch. This second 

 furrow begins at the angle between the scrotum and 

 the thigh, passes outwards, and is gradually lost 

 between the top of the trochanter and the anterior 

 superior spine of the ileum. It runs right across the 

 front of the capsule of the hip-joint. For this reason 

 it is a valuable landmark in amputation at the hip- 

 joint. The point of the knife should be introduced 

 externally where the furrow begins, should run 

 precisely along the line of it, and come out where it 

 ends ; so that the capsule of the joint may be opened 



with the first thrust Effusion into the joint 



obliterates all trace of the furrow, and makes a 

 fulness when contrasted with the opposite groin." 

 It must be confessed that this line is not always so 

 distinct as Mr. Hclden's description would lead us to 

 believe, and in many subjects it is quite impossible to. 

 make it out at all. 



The sartorius muscle is brought into view when 

 the leg is raised across the opposite knee, and the 

 adductor longus is rendered distinct when the thigh 

 is abducted, and the individual's attempts to adduct 

 the limb are resisted. Even in the obese the clear 

 edge of this muscle can be felt when it is in vigorous, 

 action, and the fingers can follow its border up to 

 the very origin of the muscle, just below the pubic 

 spine. 



The lymphatic glands in this region can sometimes, 

 be felt beneath the skin, especially in thin children. 

 The femoral ring lies on a horizontal line drawn from 

 the pubic spine to the top of the great trochanter, at 

 about one inch to the outer side of the first-named 

 process; or its position may be indicated by noting the 

 pulsations of the femoral artery against the pubes ; 

 and then, by allowing half an inch to the inner side of 

 that vessel for the femoral vein, the site of the femoral 

 ring will be reached. The position of the saphenous 



