A 45-year-old porter develops a direct inguinal hernia. If the hernia extended through the superficial inguinal ring, it would be surrounded by all of the abdominal wall layers EXCEPT the:

A) External spermatic fascia
B) Internal spermatic fascia
C) Peritoneum and extraperitoneal connective tissue
D) Weak fascia of the transversus abdominis muscle lateral to the falx