266 ANATOMY IN A NUTSHELL. 



To transverse Musculus accessories 15 Fourth layer of back. 



process. Complexus 16 Fourth layer of back. 



To art icular Multifidus spina? 17 Fifth layer of back. 



process Trachelo-mastoid 18 Fourth layer of back. 



LESSON LXIV. 



The ligaments of the vertebral column are: (Plate CIV.) 



1. Ligaments of the body: 



a. Anterior common. 



1). Posterior common. 



c. Intervertebral substance. 



el. Lateral or short ligament. 



2. Ligaments connecting the laminae: 



a. Ligamenta subflava. 



3. Ligaments connecting the articular processes: 



a. Capsular. 



4. Ligaments connecting the spinous processes. 



a. Supraspinous. 



b. Interspinous. 



5. Ligaments connecting the transverse processes : 



a. Intertransverse. 



The anterior common ligament is a fibrous band extending from the an- 

 terior tubercle of the atlas to the base of the sacrum. Its upper part makes the 

 anterior atlanto-axial ligament and its lower part extends to make the anterior 

 sacro-coccygeal ligament. It is broader below than above and thickest in the 

 dorsal region and thinnest in the cervical. It is thicker over the bodies of the 

 vertebra? than over the intervertebral substance. The interarticular substance 

 and the margins of the bodies of the vertebra? give attachment to the ligament 

 more than the anterior surface of the bodies. There are aperatures at the sides 

 of the median position of the body for the passage of vessels. This ligament 

 consists of three layers of various lengths closely intermingled; the superficial 

 layer passes from one vertebra to the fourth or fifth above; the second layer 

 from one vertebra to the second or third above; and the third layer connect 

 adjacent vertebra?. 



The posterior common ligament is situated along the anterior part of the 

 spinal canal upon the posterior surface of the bodies of the vertebra?, extending 

 from the basilar process of the occipital above, to the coccyx below, its upper 

 pari making the posterior occipito-axial ligament. It is broader above (which 

 is the reverse of the .'interior common Ligament,) thickest in the dorsal region, 

 and, like t he anterior one, ii is attached to the intervertebral discs and adjacent 

 margins of the vertebrae. It is narrow and thick over the bodies from which it 

 is separated by adipose tissue and the venae basis vertebrarum. Opposite the in- 

 tervertebral substance it gives off dentated processes. The filum terminale of 

 the spinal cord blends with this ligament at the back of the base of the coccyx. 

 Its fibers nre not so bitenningled as those of the anterior common ligament and 



