DORSAL VERTEBRA. 329 
TE THIRD, FOURTH, AND FIFTH CERVICAL VERTEBRH closely resemble 
the type of all; but the third has commonly a more elevated spine, and 
is thinner across the upper part of the body. 
The stxtH has no inferinr spine ; its transverse processes are trifid. 
THE SEVENTH VERTEBRA is the shortest, and approaches in its charac- 
ters to those of the dorsal region. Its body posteriorly presents two 
semilunar hollows for the articulation of the head of the first rib on 
each side. The superior spine is elevated and sharp, and the transverse 
process is short and obtuse, being sometimes without the foramen for the 
vertebral artery. 
GENERAL CHARACTERS OF THE DORSAL VERTEBRZ. 
THE EIGHTEEN DORSAL VERTEBR differ greatly in general appearance 
from the cervical, though they still resemble the type of all. Thus, instead 
of being cuboidal in shape, and without prominent processes, they have 
each a leng spinous process projecting upwards about two or three times 
é a 
Fie. 17.—Dorsat VERTEERS. 
A Profile view of a dorsal vertebra seen from 2. Convexity on body. 
the left. 3. 3. Transverse processes. 
1. Spinous process. 4. 4. Anterior oblique processes. 
2 Body. 5. 5. Surfaces for the articulation of the 
3. Convexity on body. head of the rib. 
4. 4. Surfaces for the articulation of the 6. Spinal hole. 
rib tubercle. 
5. Posterior oblique process. C. Back view of a dorsal vertebra. 
6. Surface for articulation of the head of 1. Spinous process. 
the rib. 2. Concavity on body. 
7. Concavity on body. 3. 3. Transverse processes. 
5. 5. Back oblique processes, 
B. Fore view of a dorsal vertebra. 6. 6. Surfaces for the articulation of the 
1. Spinous process. head of the rib. 
the depth of the body, as shown at (1. 1.1). The spinal hole is com- 
paratively small, and the transverse processes short. On each side of the 
upper and lower margin of the body is a smooth hollow, which, together 
with its corresponding surface in the vertebra, above (or below, as the case 
may be), lodges the head of arib. There is also a second articulating sur- 
face on the transverse process, by which the tubercle of the rib is con- 
nected with the vertebra, 
