INGUINAL HERNIA 



1133 



fossettes; on the outer surface a separation between the fasciculi of the external 

 oblique, carefully closed and protected; in the interval between the two surfaces 

 lies the cord or round ligament, in the thickness f)f tlie abdominal wall. 



Length. — In very early life there is no canal; one ring lies directly behind tlie 

 other, so as to facilitate tiie easy passage of tin; testis. In the aduH it measures 

 about an inch and a half (37 nnn.) in leiigtli. tliis lengthening being brought al)out 

 by the growth and separation of the ahe of the pelvis. This increased obli(|uity 

 gives acMitional safety. 



Direction, — Froni internal to external ring, downwards, forwards, and in- 

 wards. 



Boundaries. — For convenience sake, certain limits (largely artificial) have 

 been nanieil — 



(1) Floor. — This is best marked near the outlet, where the cord rests on the 



Fig. 701. — Dissiccriox of Inguinal Canal. (Wood.) 



Ext. oblique 

 (turned down' 



Rectus abdominis 

 iwith sheath opcned> 



Int. oblique 



Transversalis 



Conjoined tendou 

 Triangular fascia 

 Cremaster 



grooved upper margin of Poupart's ligament. The meeting of the transversalis 

 fascia with this ligament forms the floor. 



(2) Roof. — The apposition of the muscles and the arched border of the internal 

 oblique and transversalis. 



(3) Anterior icall. — Skin, superficial fascia, external oblicjue for all the way. 

 Internal oblique, i.e. that })art arising from Poupart's ligament, for the outer third 

 or so. 



{4)Posterior uall. — For the whole extent, transversalis fascia, extra-peritoneal 

 tissue, and peritoneum. For the inner two-thirds, conjoined tendon of internal 

 oblique and transversalis, and tlie outer edge of the triangular fasiia, when devel- 

 oped. Of the structures forming the posterior wall, tlie transversalis fascia is 

 the strongest. It is thicker and better marked at its attachments below; these are 

 — (n) externally, to inner lip of iliac crest; (b) to Poupart's ligament between the 

 anterior su})erior spine and the femoral vessels: here it joins the fascia iliaca; (r) 



