THE ABDOMINAL WALL 



209 



uterus. The aperture which is thus formed receives the name 

 of the subcutaneous inguinal ring. At the present stage of the 

 dissection the opening is not visible, because a thin fascial 

 covering, the external spermatic fascia, is carried downwards 

 from its lips upon the spermatic cord, or upon the round 

 ligament of the uterus. When the cord is raised and rendered 



Sheath of rectus 



Aponeurosis of external oblique 



Subcutaneous 

 inguinal ring 

 Lig. inguinale 



Lig. lacunare 

 (Gimbernat's) 



FIG. 95. Dissection to show the connections of the inferior part of the 

 Aponeurosis of the External Oblique Muscle. 



tense, it is obvious that the covering invests it completely, 

 and is somewhat funnel-shaped wide above, but closing 

 upon the cord as it is traced downwards. 



Dissection. With the point of the knife divide the external 

 spermatic fascia around the cord, and then, with the handle, 

 define the margins of the subcutaneous inguinal ring. 



When the definition is completed the dissector will note 

 that the term "ring," as applied to the opening, is apt to 

 convey to the mind an erroneous impression. It is not 



VOL. n 14 



