CIRCULATORY SYSTEM. 203 



its ramifications are distributed ; the anterior and longer division 

 curves forward between the transverse and internal oblique 

 muscles, and sends its ramifications to them, but principally to 

 the latter, with the exception of its ulterior twigs, and they run on 

 and form communications with the lastintercostals. These vessels 

 also anastomose, among the muscles, with the lumbar arteries. 



2. The artery of the chord (which in other cases comes 

 from the last-described branch, or from tlie aorta itself) arises 

 from the under part of the vessel, a little further backward than 

 the circumflex. This is a very slender vessel, but of sufficient 

 length to reach, obliquely backward, the spermatic chord, and pro- 

 ceed with it through the inguinal canal, for the general supply of 

 its component parts. 



3. The arteria profunda femoris is a very large branch, 

 and one that may be said by its origin to mark the limit of the 

 iliac artery, posteriorly, and the femoral, anteriorly, and one also 

 that may be considered to be given off by either of these trunks 

 at the place where they individually change their names. The 

 profunda plunges at once into the thick of the haunch, and there 

 makes an oblique curve round the neck of the os femoris, passing 

 under the short and long heads of the triceps. Having reached 

 the posterior quarters, it sends its ramifications principally into 

 the biceps. Prior to its dipping into the substance of the thigh, 

 it gives rise to a large branch. 



The epigastric artery ; which at first makes a curve backward, 

 downward, and outward, and in so doing turns round the inward 

 margin of the internal ring, running at this tiaie between the peri- 

 toneum and the tendon of the transversalis ; next, it makes a sweep 

 outward and subsequently upward, in the course of which it gra- 

 dually insinuates itself between thedisgregated tendinous fasciculi 

 of this muscle until it at length is found pursuing its way between 

 the transverse tendon and internal oblique muscle. It afterwards 

 continues its passage forward, within the sheath of the rectus, along 

 the upper and inner border of the muscle, furnishing as it proceeds 

 ramifications from its sides, and at length ending in anastomosis 

 with ramifications coming in a contrary direction from the internal 

 pectoral. In passing the ring, it gives origin to a considerable 

 branch which turns round the crescentic borders of the tendons 

 forming that aperture, and then splits into several small arteries. 

 Of these — a. A twig runs to the groin, and ramifies among the 

 adipose membrane and absorbent glands there, b. A long slender 

 branch makes its way to the ring, and descends upon the cre- 

 master: this is furnished, however, in some instances by the 

 external iliac, c. A subcutaneous twig to the thigh, d. The 

 external piidic, the large^rt and longest of these divisions (at 



