OF THE ABDOMEN. 361 



of the right muscle 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 fasciaa 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. Detach the External Oblique by dividing it across, just in front of its attach- 

 ment to the ribs, as far as its posterior border, and separating it below from the crest of ilium 

 fts far as the spine ; then separate the muscle carefully from the Internal Oblique, which lies 

 beneath, and turn it towards the opposite side. 



The Internal or Ascending Oblique muscle (Fig. 231), thinner and smaller than 

 the preceding, beneath which it lies, is of an irregularly quadrilateral form, 



Fig. 231. The Internal Oblique Muscle. 



Conjoined Tendon 



CREMASTER 



and situated at the side and fore part of the abdomen. It arises, by fleshy 

 fibres, from the outer half of Poupart's ligament, being attached to the groove 

 on its upper surface; from the anterior two-thirds of the middle lip of the 



