186 MYOLOGY, OR ANATOMY OF MUSCULAR SYSTEM 



the lowest fibers of the pectoralis major, or is covered by a 

 fascia derived from it; below it extends from the anterior 

 superior spine of the ilium to the spine of the pubis as a 

 thickened border called Poupart's ligament. Poupart's ligament 

 affords attachment throughout its entire length to the 

 aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle; its outer half 

 gives attachment to the internal oblique and trans versalis 

 muscles. 



The aponeurosis is perforated by a large opening near the 

 pubis for the spermatic cord in the male and round ligament 

 in the female; this is the external abdominal ring (annulus 

 inguinalis cutaneus, p. n.). It is oval or elliptical, 1 inch long, 

 \ inch wide in the male, with its base at the pubic crest; its 

 sides are the pillars (crus superius and crus inferius, p. n.); 

 the upper or inner is flat and straight, attached to the anterior 

 surface of the pubis, decussating with its fellow or passing to 

 the adductor fascia and dorsum of the penis; the lower or 

 external is thin above, and below is formed by the inner end 

 of Poupart's ligament, attached to the spine of the pubis. 

 The intercolumnar fibers are seen passing across the two pillars 

 of the external abdominal ring, and gives off a thin aponeurosis, 

 which passes on to the spermatic cord, called the intercolumnar 

 fascia. 



The deepest fibers of Poupart's ligament are sent back to 

 the inner part of the iliopectineal line for J inch, forming a 

 layer called Gimbernat's ligament, presenting upper and lower 

 surfaces and a concave margin toward the femoral ring and 

 vein. Some of the fibers of Gimbernat's ligament or of the 

 outer pillar are reflected up and in, under the spermatic cord, 

 behind the inner pillar, in front of the conjoined tendon, cover- 

 ing the posterior wall of the external ring, and pass to the 

 sheath of the linea alba or interlace with the opposite external 

 oblique muscle; this is the reflected Gimbernat's ligament, or 

 triangular fascia. 



Cooper's ligament, described first by Sir Astley Cooper. 

 It extends from the base of Gimbernat's ligament along the 

 iliopectineal line, to which it is attached. It is strengthened 

 by the fascia transversalis, the iliopectineal aponeurosis, and 

 by a lateral expansion from the lower attachment of the linea 

 alba (adminiculum linea? albse) (Gray). 



Generally the external oblique and latissimus dorsi leave 



