LIGAMENTS OF THE NECK 



399 



rotafcion on its ou'ii axis ai-e also net essitaied for the purpo«e of d free Ling 

 the muzi'le right and left of the straight line, an! for these severaJ 

 motions the following deviations from the ordinary vertebral joints are 

 ■developed. 



The ligamentum xuciice, or great cervical ligament, is intended to 

 relieve the muscles of the neck in supporting the head by its natural or 

 inherent elasticity. It is entirely formed of yellow elastic tissue, and 

 occupies the angle formed postei^iorly by the anterior dorsal spines, and 

 inferiorly by the cervical spinous processes, thus separating the cervical 

 muscles of the right side from those of the left. 



Profile View of toe Great Ligament of the Neck. 



Crest of the occiput. 



2. Cervical vertebrae. 



3. Dorsal vertebrre. 



4. 4. Dorsal spines. 



5. 5. Cordifonn or funicular jiortion of the 

 lisamentum nuchoe. 



6. Cordifcirm portion of the ligamentum colli mix« 



ing with the supra-spinous ligament. 



7. 7. Liiniellary iiortinn of the ligamentum nuchoe. 

 S. 8. S. luterspiuous ligaments. 



It is divided for description into two parts — a funicular and lamellary 

 portion. The first, designated under the name of the cord of the cervical 

 ligament, is represented by a large band, which extends immediately from 

 the dorsal spinous processes to the top of the head, divided into two 

 lateral lips by a mesian line. The cord is connected posteriori}^ with the 

 supra-spinous ligament, and is inserted anteriorly into the scabrous pit, 

 situated just below the crest of the occiput. It is covered superior^ by 

 a mass of thick adipo-fibrous tissue, much developed in low-bred animals. 

 Inferiorly it gives off the lamellary portion, which is composed of two 

 plates united by cellular membrane. These lie between the two sets of 

 muscles, and give off six tongues or slips, which unite with the spines of 

 the six posterior cervical vertebrse, mixing with the fibres of the inter- 

 spinous ligaments. 



The Atlas is united to the occiput by lateral ligaments, which bind 

 it3 articular surfaces to the condyles of the bone — also by two inferior 

 liganients and synovial capsules. 



The iivo lateral ligaments, broad and membranous, arise from the supero- 



