358 



THE MUSCLES AND FASCIAE 



the upper angle of the ring, so as to increase its strength ; and on each side, by 

 the margins of the opening in the aponeurosis, which are called the columns or 

 pillars of the ring. 



The external pillar, which is at the same time inferior from the obliquity of its 

 direction, is the stronger : it is formed by that portion of Poupart's ligament 

 which is inserted into the spine of the os pubis ; it is curved so as to form a kind 

 of groove, upon which the spermatic cord rests. The internal or superior pillar 



External abdo- I 



minal ring. /_ 



GimbernaVs 

 ligament. 



Pubes. 

 FIG. 218. The External oblique muscle. 



is a broad, thin, flat band which is attached to the front of the symphysis pubis, 

 interlacing with its fellow of the opposite side, that of the right side being super- 

 ficial. 



The external abdominal ring gives passage to the spermatic cord in the male, 

 and round ligament in the female : it is much larger in men than in women, on 

 account of the large size of the spermatic cord, and hence the greater frequency 

 of inguinal hernia in men. 



The intercolumnar fibres are a series of curved tendinous fibres, which arch 



