ANATOMY OF THE GROIX. 



1021 



Internal oblique muscle (p. 250) After removing the aponeurosis of the 

 external oblique, this muscle is laid bare. The lower fibres are thin and 

 often of a pale colour. Immediately above Poupart's ligament the outer 

 part is muscular, the inner part tendinous. The spermatic cord, when about 

 to escape at the external abdominal ring, passes beneath the fleshy part of 

 the muscle. The fibres in this situation varying considerably in direction 

 from those of the rest of the muscle, pass inwards from Poupart's ligament 

 at first nearly parallel with that structure ; and, becoming tendinous, they 

 join with the tendon of the transversalis. 



Fig. 706. 



Fig. 706. THE INGUINAL CANAL AND FEMORAL SHEATH FULLY EXPOSED. 



After the removal of the lower part of the external oblique (with the exception of a 

 small slip including Poupart's ligament), the lower portion of the internal oblique has been 

 raised, and thereby the transversalis muscle and fascia have been brought into view. The 

 femoral artery and vein are seen to a small extent, the fascia lata having been turned 

 aside and the sheath of the blood-vessels laid open. 1, external oblique muscle; 2, 

 internal oblique ; 2', part of same turned up; 3, transversalis muscle. Upon the last- 

 named muscle is seen a branch of the circumflex iliac artery, with its companion veins; 

 and some ascending tendinous fibres are seen over the conjoined tendon of the two last- 

 named muscles ; 4, transversalis fascia ; 5, spermatic cord covered with the infundibuli- 

 form fascia from the preceding. 6, upper angle of the iliac part of fascia lata ; 7, the sheath 

 of the femoral vessels ; 8, femoral artery; 9, femoral vein; 10, saphenous vein; 11, a 

 vein joining it. 



Transversalis muscle. This muscle (p. 253) does not, in general extend 

 down as far as the internal oblique ; so that, the latter being removed, an 

 interval is observable between the edge of the transversalis and Poupart's 

 ligament, in which the transversalis fascia comes into view ; and in which 

 the spermatic cord is seen after having penetrated that fascia. The lower 

 edge of the muscle is commonly close above the opening for the cord in the 

 subjacent membrane, while its tendon curves to the inner side ; so that 



