446 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY. 



obliterate any ring. In health and normally there is no 

 "ring." In this connection I wish to caution the student 

 in reference to the usual anatomical descriptions of " rings," 

 and "canals." In the living subject there are no abdom- 

 inal rings except during the descent of the testicle in foetal 

 life or of a hernia at a later period. While in the subject a 

 ring exists only if the above conditions appertain, or as a 

 result of the dissector's labors. These so-called abdominal 

 rings are then only places where openings can be made, or 

 are " potential " rings. The usual habit of giving measure- 

 ments to these potential rings is to be deprecated, as nor- 

 mally there are no rings, and if made by the dissector they 

 may have any dimensions, according to his fancy or precon- 

 ceived ideas. By applying measurements to openings that 

 are normal only at a certain time in the individual's life an 

 erroneous opinion is formed of the true relations of the 

 parts, that will interfere, not only with a correct anatomical 

 knowledge of the subject, but also with surgical work upon 

 such regions. 



The Triangular Fascia. Fig. 89. 



Just above the symphysis some fibres of the external 

 oblique pass across the median line to be inserted in the 

 opposite ilicpectineal line and pubic crest, forming a small 

 triangular ligament or fascia. The triangular ligament lies 

 behind the internal column of the external abdominal ring, 

 and in front of the conjoined tendon. It will not be seen 

 until the external oblique is reflected. In the male the 

 spermatic cord escapes from the external ring and passes 

 into the scrotum ; in the female the round ligament appears, 

 to quickly become lost in the tissues in front of the pubes. 



Actions of the External Oblique Muscle. To protect, also 

 to compress the abdominal viscera, and thus aid defaecation, 



