ABDOMINAL WALL 



387 



fascia round the cord, and then, with the handle, define 

 the margins of the subcutaneous inguinal ring. When this is 

 done, the dissector will observe that the term " ring," as applied 

 to this opening, is calculated to convey to the mind an errone- 

 ous impression. It is not circular, but triangular, in shape. 

 The direction of the opening is very oblique, the base of the 



Sheath of rectus 



Aponeurosis of external oblique 



Inguinal 

 ligament 

 (Poupart's-) 



Subcutaneous 

 inguinal ring 

 Lig. inguinale 

 reflexum 

 Lig. lacunare 

 (Gimbernat's) 



FIG. 145. Dissection to show the connections of the lower part of the 

 Aponeurosis of the External Oblique Muscle. 



triangle being formed by the crest of the pubes, whilst the 

 apex is directed laterally and slightly upwards.' 



The subcutaneous inguinal ring, therefore, is merely a small 

 gap or interval left between that portion of the aponeurosis 

 of the external oblique muscle which forms the inguinal 

 ligament, and that portion which is inserted into the front of 

 the pubic bone. The margins of the aperture are termed 

 the pillars or crura of the ring. The medial or superior crus 

 is flat and broad, and is attached to the symphysis pubis. 

 Some of its fibres cross the middle line, decussate with the 



I 25 a 



