436 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY. 



Superficial Fascia. Fig. 88. 



This consists of two layers, the external or the subcuta- 

 neous, the internal, deep, or fascia of Scarpa. 



(i) The external layer is composed of connective and 

 adipose tissue, the varying quantities of the latter determin- 

 ing the thickness of the subcutaneous tissue. Above it is 

 continuous with the superficial fascia of the thorax, and 

 below with that of the thigh. 



In this layer lie the subcutaneous vessels and nerves. 



The more important of the vessels are (a) The super- 

 ficial (superior) external pudic, which forms with the 

 artery of the other side an anastomotic arch over the 

 pubes, and at the side of the root of the penis gives off 

 the superficial dorsal artery to that organ, (fj) The super- 

 ficial epigastric. This passes upward toward the umbilicus, 

 having crossed the middle of Poupart's ligament. These 

 arteries are branches from the femoral ; for their origin, 

 see Dissection of Thigh. They are usually divided in 

 operations upon the inguinal lymphatics and herniot- 

 omies. (c) Numerous cutaneous arterioles from the inter- 

 costals, lumbars, deep epigastrics, and superficial circumflex 

 iliacs. 



The veins take the names of, and accompany, the 

 arteries. 



The cutaneous nerves are unimportant, and need not de- 

 tain the student for their dissection. They come from the 

 lower intercostals and the first lumbar nerves. 



The Lymphatics. Fig. 88. 



The only lymphatic glands of any importance are those 

 grouped around the superficial epigastric artery, over and 

 above the middle of Poupart's ligament. They drain the 

 superficial region of the lower zone of the abdomen, the 



