238 PRACTICAL ANATOMY. 



outer wall of the pelvis. The artery is, as a rule, a branch of the internal iliac. 

 It forms an exception to the rule in the figures given here. 



The coverings of femoral hernia from within outward are: (i) The perito- 

 neum ; (2) the subperitoneal connective tissue ; (3) the septum femorale ; (4) the 

 femoral sheath ; (5) the cribriform fascia the deep layer of superficial fascia that 

 covers the saphenous opening in the fascia lata ; (6) the superficial fascia ; (7) the 

 skin. 



Factors concerned in reduction of hernia are those that tend to tighten the 

 canal. These are:(i) The saphenous opening ; (2) the iliac and pubic portions 

 of the fascia lata ; (3) the external oblique muscle and its lower portion Pou- 

 part's ligament. These structures that tend to strengthen a succession of ana- 

 tomical weak points, determining the course of a femoral hernia, may all be dis- 

 empowered by flexion of the thigh on abdomen ; flexion of leg on thigh ; adduc- 

 tion of thigh. Demonstrate this on your work by placing your finger in the 

 femoral canal, and let an assistant produce first abduction and extension, and 

 adduction and flexion, when the scissor-like action of Poupart's and Gimbernat's 

 will be appreciated. 



"THE PERITONEUM. 



The inquisitive student instinctively asks himself the following simple ques- 

 tions, which I will here answer fully enough for dissecting-room purposes : 

 i . What kind of a structure is peritoneum and where is it fonnd / 

 Peritoneum is a serous membrane found in the abdominal cavity only. 



LACTEALS 



Veins 



FIG. 166. VESSELS OF THE SMALL INTESTINE. 



2. What is the appearance of peritoneum and lioiv may I recognize it .' 

 Peritoneum is smooth, moist, glistening. You can recognize it by its loca- 

 tion and its appearance. Its most distinctive feature is its location in the abdom- 

 inal cavity ; removed from this cavity you could not distinguish it from other 



erous membranes pleura and pericardium. 



3. Where will I see peritoneum on opening the abdominal cavity ? 



You will see it forming the innermost layer of the wall you cut and turned 



