92 ANATOMY OF THE DOMESTIC FOWL 



Attachments. — By aponeurosis, from the distal extremity of the 

 post-pubic element of the pelvis and from the semitendinous liga- 

 ment which stretches from one post-pubic tip to the other. Attaches 

 anteriorly to the zyphoid margin of the sternum, and passes, by a 

 broad aponeurotic membrane, over the outer surface of the thoracic 

 waU beneath the external oblique. 



Transversalis Abdominis (Fig. 25, No. E, i). Location. — ^Irifero- 

 lateral portion of the abdominal wall. 



Attachments. — By a thin, tendinous attachment from the entire 

 post-pubic and ihac margins of the pelvis and from the interpubic 

 ligament. Its fibers cross the abdomen between the peritoneum, 

 the rectum, and the internal obUque. It is inserted over the entire 

 pleural part of the last two vertebral ribs, the intercostal muscles 

 between them, and the same surface of the hemapophyses connected 

 below. Inserts into the Unea alba. 



Action. — ^The abdominal muscles give support to the abdominal 

 organs, aid in flexing the spine, draw the last rib backward, thus 

 aiding in respiration, and compress the abdominal organs to aid 

 in defecation and expiration. 



THE DORSO-LUMBAR REGION 



Sacro-lumbahs Longissimus dorsi 



Sacro-lumbalis. Location. — The lateral lumbo-sacral region. 



Origin. — Tendinous from the anterior margin of the ihum, from the 

 angles of the last two vertebral ribs, and by tendinous shps, from 

 the outer ends of the transverse processes of the last three dorsal 

 vertebrae. 



Insertion. — By a few fleshy fibers into the angle of the first dorsal 

 rib and to the corresponding points upon the free cervical ribs, 

 and by a strong semitendinous insertion into the outer extremity of 

 the diapophysis of the twelfth cervical vertebra. 



Shape. — ^A close fitting, tendo-muscular sheet extending between 

 the anterior margin of the ihum and the root of the neck. 



Relations. — ;Intimately blended with the longissimus dorsi ex- 

 ternally. 



Action. — Assists the longissimus dorsi. 



Longissimus Dorsi (Fig. 24, No. 4). Location. — The superior 

 dorso-lumbar region. 



