OF THE ABDOMEN. 



283 



pillar, being attached to the front of the symphysis pubis, interlaces with the cor- 

 responding fibres of the opposite muscle, that of the right being superficial. To 

 the margins of the pillars of the external abdominal ring is attached an exceedingly 

 thin and delicate fascia, which is prolonged down over the outer surface of the 

 cord and testis. This has received the name of intercolumnar fascia, from its 

 attachment to the pillars of the ring. It is also called the external spermatic fascia, 

 from being the most external of the fascias which cover the spermatic cord. 



Relations. By its external surface, with the superficial fascia, superficial epi- 

 gastric and circumflex iliac vessels, and some cutaneous nerves. By its internal 

 surface, with the Internal oblique, the lower part of the eight inferior ribs, and 

 Intercostal muscles, the Cremaster, the spermatic cord in the male, and round 

 ligament in the female. Its posterior border is occasionally overlapped by the 

 Latissimus dorsi ; sometimes an interval exists between the two muscles, in which 

 is seen a portion of the Internal oblique. 



Dissection. The External oblique should now be detached by dividing it across, just in front 

 of its attachment to the ribs, as far as its posterior border, and by separating it below from the 

 crest of the ilium as far as the spine ; the muscle should then be carefully separated from the 

 Internal oblique, which lies beneath, and turned towards the opposite side. 



The Internal Oblique Muscle (fig. 164), thinner and smaller than the preceding, 



Fig. 164. The Internal Oblique Muscle. 



Conjoined Trnr/i 

 CREMASTER 



beneath which it lies, is of an irregularly quadrilateral form, and situated at the 

 side and fore part of top abdomen. It arises, by fleshy fibres, from the outer half 



