Mikrokosmographia a description of the body of man. Together vvith the controuersies thereto belonging. Collected and translated out of all the best authors of anatomy, especially out of Gasper Bauhinus and Andreas Laurentius. By Helkiah Crooke Doctor of Physicke, physitian to His Maiestie, and his Highnesse professor in anatomy and chyrurgerie. Published by the Kings Maiesties especiall direction and warrant according to the first integrity, as it was originally written by the author.

CHAP. IX. Of the Investing or Containing parts, proper to the lower Belly.

THe proper containing partes whereby the Lower Belly is invested, are the Muscles of the Abdomen or Paunch, and the Peritonaeum or * 1.1 Rim of the belly. The Muscles are in all Bodies alwaies eight, foure on eyther side, matched equally in Figure, Magnitude, Strength, and Action. Of these there are foure Oblique, two Right, & two Transuerse, all of them haue these appellations from the scituation and the texture of their Fibres. In Dissection the Oblique external paire do first offer themselues, which are the broadest of all the rest. Next follow the Oblique internall; the Anatomists do vsually call the former oblique des∣cendents, the latter oblique ascendents, but how properly or improperly wee shall shew heereafter. Next to these follow the two Right Muscles, in whose inward parts do appeare those veines ascending and descending, which conioyne about the Nauill. Vnder all these lye the two Tranuerse Muscles. * 1.2

There are also in some Bodies two other smal muscles called succenturiati assisters, or Pira∣midales,

that is, the spiry Muscles. The History of all these Muscles, as also the Contro∣uersies and diuerse opinions concerning them, we will at large prosecute in our Booke of Muscles, whither for satisfaction we referre the Reader.

Next vnder these lyeth the Peritonaeum or rim of the belly, a thin Membrane like vnto * 1.3 a Spiders web, which enwrappeth all the inward parts in this venter conteined. Towardes the bladder especially it is euidently duplicated, betwixt which duplication those vessels which the ancients cal Vasa vmbilicalia, the Nauill vessels, are caried. Of al which if follow∣eth * 1.4 now that we snould intreat, beginning with the Peritonaeum.

Notes

• * 1.1

  8. Muscles of the paunch.
• * 1.2

  Two other Muscles late∣ly found out.
• * 1.3

  Peritonaeum or rim of the belly.
• * 1.4

  The vmbilical vessels.