88 MAMMALIAN ANATOMY 



Caudal articular processes not distinct. 



Lateral aspect of transverse process obliquely elon- 

 gated ; it faces also clorsally. 



Spinous process longer 3 



Spinous process shorter 4 



Lateral aspect of transverse process usually quad- 

 rate ; it faces slightly dorsally. 



Vertebra not distinctly smaller 5 



Vertebra distinctly smaller 6 



Lateral aspect of transverse process faces laterally 

 and its cephalo-caudal diameter pro- 

 gressively prolonged. 



Spinous processes progressively decrease 

 in length and increase in inclination 



toward the tail 7, 8, 9 



Caudal articular processes distinct ; articular surfaces 



face also laterally 10 



Transverse processes absent ; mamniillary and accessory processes 

 present ; single costal facet on body. 



Spinous process small ; it points dorsally 11 



Spinous process larger ; it points toward the head. 



Maximum length of whole vertebra not greater than 



height 12 



Maximum length of whole vertebra greater than height . 13 



THE LUMBAR VERTEBRA. 



The Seven Lumbar Vertebrae are situated between the thoracic 

 vertebra? and the sacrum (Fig. 57), supporting that portion of the 

 body known as the loins. 



The Lumbar Vertebra? (Fig. 58) differ from the cervicals in the 

 absence of an arterial foramen in the transverse process. They differ 

 from the thoracics in the absence of the facets for the ribs. They 

 differ from the caudal vertebra? in having large spinous processes and 

 transverse processes which are directed toward the head and ventrally. 

 They may be distinguished from the seventh cervical, which has no 

 arterial foramen in the transverse process, by their elongated, massive 

 form, and by the cephalic direction of the spinous and transverse 

 processes. They all have mamniillary processes on the cephalic 



