268 ANATOMY IN A NUTSHELL. 



rum. They arc very thin, but broad and long in the cervical region; they are 

 thicker in the dorsal, being very thick in the lumbar region. They consist of 

 Yellow elastic tissue. Their fibers are almost perpendicular. They are at- 

 tached above to the inner surface of the inferior articular process and the inner 

 surface of the lower margin of the lamina of the vertebrae; below to the inner 

 surface of the superior articular process and the upper margin of the lamina. 

 They are continuous with the interspinous ligament at the root of the spinous 

 processes and help to form the capsular ligament. 



The capsular ligaments connect the articular processes, being attached along 

 the margins of the articular surfaces; the lateral part of the ligamenta subflava 

 forms their inner portion. Each joint is lined by a synovial membrane. These 

 ligaments are short and tight in the thoracic region, loose in the cervical, and 

 intermediate in the lumbar. 



The supraspinous ligaments are fibrous bands connecting the tips of the 

 processes, extending from the tip of the vertebra prominens to the first sacral. 

 It is continued above as the ligamentum nuchae and below along the spines of 

 the sacrum. 



The interspinous ligaments extend in all regions of the vertebral column 

 betweeB the spinous processes of the vertebrae, running from root to apex. 

 In the cervical region they are very delicate and are separated by the Inter 1 

 spinales muscles. They are stronger in the lumbar than in the dorsal region. 



The intertransverse ligaments extend between the transverse processes of 

 the vertebrae; in the cervical region they are often absent, the Intertransversales 

 muscles taking their place. They are better marked in the dorsal region; in the 

 lumbar region thev are weak and membranous. 



LESSON LXXV. 



Each rib has the following points: (Plate CVIII.) 



Head which is divided by a ridge into two facets, and these articulate with 

 the facets on the bodies of the dorsal vertebrae ;the ridge giving attachment to 

 the interarticular ligament. 



Neck, about an inch long, having attached to its upper border the anterior 

 costo-transverse ligament, to its posterior surface the middle costo-transverse 

 ligament; its anterior surface is smooth. 



Tuberosity, at the junction of the neck with the shaft, has a facet for artic- 

 ulation with the transverse process of the next lower vertebra, and a rough 

 surface for the posterior costo-transverse ligament. 



Shaft, twisted on itself, is concave internally, convex externally, its upper 

 border round and smooth, its lower border grooved for the intercostal vessels 

 and nerves. A.1 its external extremity is an oval depression for the insertion 

 of the costal cartilage. 



Angle, just in front of the tuberosity, is marked by a rough line, to which 

 nre attached the muscles of the deep layer of the back. 



Bach rib is developed in the following manner: 



Each rib has thri e centers, one for the head, one for the shaft, and one for 



