CERVICAL VERTEBR.-E. 



[CHAP. 



exit to the inferior division of the first cervical nerve, but not 

 by the vertebral artery, which usually enters the neural canal 

 between the arches of the second and third vertebra;. The 

 odontoid process of the axis (Fig. 14) is of peculiar shape, 



being like a spout, or hollow half-cylinder, with a prominent 

 sharp semicircular rim. The canal for the second cervical 



spinal nerve pierces the lamina of the axis near its anterior 

 border. The other vertebra? have more or less elongated 

 bodies, which are opisthocalous, i.e. concave behind and 

 convex in front. They are keeled below, the keel being often 



