62 



MAMMALIAN ANATOMY 



ventral than in the cephalo-caudal direction. It faces laterally, dor- 

 sally, and toward the head. The caudal articular process is the 

 caudal ventral angle of the lamina which overhangs the caudal inter- 

 vertebral notch. Its oval articular surface faces ventrally and slightly 

 laterally and toward the tail. 



The laminae (Fig. 36) are long, and the spinous process is a long 

 keel, produced at the cephalic end into a laterally compressed process 

 overhanging the cephalic intervertebral notch of the lamina. The 

 laminae are directed more vertically to the body at the cephalic end 



FIG. 36. 



Floor of Neural Canal. 



Lamina for OBLIQUUS INFERIOR 



Transverse Process. 



Odontoid Process. 



Cephalic Articular Surface. 



Caudal Articular Process. 



Neural Spine. 

 THE AXIS, DORSAL ASPECT. 



than at the caudal end ; the cephalic part of the lateral surface there- 

 fore faces laterally and only slightly dorsally, while the caudal part 

 faces equally laterally and dorsally. The lateral surface is depressed, 

 and gives attachment to the obliquus capitis inferior muscle. 



The caudal part of each lamina (Fig. 37) is so thick that a caudal 

 surface is produced. This surface lies between the caudal end of the 

 spine and the caudal articular surface. It is quadrate, faces ventrally, 

 medially, and toward the tail, and is rough for the attachment of a 

 strong cervical muscle. 



Nomenclature of the Axis. The axis is so termed from the Greek 

 axion, because it is the axis on which the first vertebra, or the atlas, 

 turns. The name epistropheus, now generally used in Germany for 

 this bone, was given to it by Heister (A.D. 1(383-1758) some time after 



