THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN. l^ 



the ligamentum nuchse or cervical supraspinous ligament. 



It is imbedded in the superficial muscles of this region, some 

 of which take origin from it. 



Ligamentous fibers are also present between the spinous 

 processes of the vertebrae (ligamenta interspinalia) : between 

 the transverse processes (ligamenta intertransversaria) , and 

 between the vertebral arches (ligamenta flava). 



Capsulae articulares. The joints between the articular 

 processes are furnished with articular capsules attached .about 

 the edges of the articular surfaces. These are larger and looser 

 in the cervical region. 



Atlanto-occipital Articulation. The joint between the 

 atlas and the occipital condyles has a single articular capsule, 

 which is attached about the borders of the articular surfaces of 

 the two bones. This capsule is of course widest laterally, 

 forming indeed two partially separated sacs, which are, how- 

 ever, continuous by a narrow portion across the ventral middle 

 line. This capsule communicates with that which covers the 

 articular surface of the dens, and through this with the capsule 

 between the atlas and axis. That portion of the capsule which 

 covers the space between the ventral arch of the atlas and the 

 occipital bone represents the anterior atlanto-occipital mem- 

 brane ; it is strengthened by a slender median ligamentous 

 strand. The posterior atlanto-occipital membrane covers in 

 the same way the space between the dorsal arch of the atlas and 

 the dorsal edge of the foramen magnum. In it a number of 

 different sets of fibers, with regard to direction and to degree 

 of development, may be distinguished ; these have sometimes 

 been considered separate ligaments. 



The lateral ligaments of the atlas begin at the lateral 

 angle of the cranial margin of the atlas, at about the junction 

 of its dorsal and ventral arches, and pass cranioventrad to the 

 jugular processes. 



Articulation between the Axis and Atlas. The articular 

 capsule is large and loose, being attached to dorsal and ventral 

 borders of the atlas, about the articular surfaces of the axis, 

 and to the cranial projection of the spine of the atlas. It also 

 passes craniad along the ventral side of the dens and communi- 



