CHAP. III.] 



SKELETON OF THE HEAD AND TRUNK. 



41 



from above downwards than in cither the dorsal or the lumbar 

 vertebrix!. The front surface of the centrum is convex, and looks 

 much doxsTiwards as well as forwards, and its hinder surface is 

 concave and looks much iipwards as well as backwards. The 

 pedicle is narrow from before backwards, and its anterior notch is 

 as marked as its posterior one ; but this appearance is mainly due 

 to the projection forwards of the prezygapophysis (s). The neural 

 lamina) are much flattened, and are broadened transversely like the 

 centra. The spinous process is short, small, and projects somewhat 

 forwards. The zygapophyses are large and flat. The articular 

 surface of each prezygapophj'sis looks upwards, forwards, and 



Fi^'. 10. — Fifth Cervicat, Vertebra. 



A. Side view. 



B. Front view. 



C. Back view, 

 c. Centrum. 



s. Neivral sjiine. 



t. Transverse process. 

 V. Vertebral canal. 

 -. Prezygapoiiliysis. 

 3. Postzygapophysis. 



slightly inwards. Its outer surface presents a roughened pro- 

 minence. The articular surface of each postzygapophysis looks 

 downwards, backwards and slightly outwards. 



There is a large plate-like transverse process {f) which springs 

 from two roots. One of these descends from the front of the side 

 of the pedicle, the other projects from the centrum, just at the place 

 where the capitular articular surface of a dorsal vertebra is jjlaced, 

 and so may be called a " capitular process." These two short roots 

 unite and enclose a space (^?) called the rcrtehral canal, because it is 

 traversed by the vertebral artery. Thus this vertebra may be said 

 to have " perforated transverse processes." Beyond the junction of 

 its two roots the transverse process expands into an irregularly 

 quadrilateral plate, one surface of which looks outwards, upwards, 

 and shghtly forwards, while the other looks inwards, downwards, 

 and slightly backwards. From near the hinder angle of this plate 

 a process, somewhat like an anapophysis, projects upwards and 

 backwards, so that the plate may be said, at this part, to slightly 

 bifurcate. 



The other cervical vertebra (except the first two) more or less 



