ABDOMEN AND PELVIS 521 



To expose the superior fascia of the pelvic diaphragm (fascia 

 diaphragmatis pelvis superior), remove the peritoneum from 

 the sides of the pelvic wall and bladder by blunt dissection. 

 Scrape away carefully the extraperitoneal fatty tissue with the 

 handle of the scalpel. The bladder must be forcibly separated 

 from the pubic bones and the intervening fatty tissue removed, 

 to secure adequate exposure of the fascia anteriorly. 



After the fascia has been exposed establish its continuity 



FIG. 275. 



To show the cut surfaces of the os coxae after removal of the piece cut out to expose the external 



surface of the pelvic fascia. 



with the fascia transversalis and the fascia iliaca at the terminal 

 line (linea terminalis). Trace it downward and demonstrate 

 that it covers the ilium and the upper part of the fascia obtura- 

 toria. It then becomes thickened and passes downward and 

 medialward upon the upper surface of the pelvic diaphragm as 

 far as the tendinous arch of the pelvic fascia (arcus tendineus 

 fasciae pelvis) ; the tendinous arch passes in a curve, convexity 

 directed downward and lateralward, from the symphysis ossium 



