LIGAMENTS OF THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN. 121 



The Supra-spinous ligament (fig. 60) is a strong and inelastic fibrous 

 cord, which extends from the apex of the spinous process of the last 

 cervical vertebra to the sacrum, being attached to each spinous process 

 in its course ; it is thickest in the lumbar region. The continuation 

 of this ligament upwards to the tuberosity of the occipital bone, con- 



Fig. 53.* 



stitutes the rudimentary ligamentum nuchae of man. The latter is 

 strengthened, as in animals, by a thin slip from the spinous process of 

 each of the cervical vertebrae. 



TRANSVERSE PROCESSES. The inter-transverse ligaments are thin 

 and membranous ; they are found only between the transverse pro- 

 cesses of the lower dorsal vertebrae. 



2. Articulation of the Atlas with the Occipital bone. The ligaments 

 of this articulation are seven in number, 



Two anterior occipito-atloid, 

 Posterior occipito-atloid, 

 Lateral occipito-atloid, 

 Two capsular. 



Of the two anterior ligaments one is a rounded cord, situated in the 

 middle line, and superficially to the other. It is attached above, to 



* An anterior view of the ligaments connecting the atlas, the axis, and the 

 occipital bone. A transverse section has been carried through the base of the 

 skull, dividing the basilar process of the occipital bone and the petrous portions 

 of the temporal bones. 1. The anterior round occipito-atloid ligament. 2. The 

 anterior broad occipito-atloid ligament. 3. The commencement of the anterior 

 common ligament. 4. The anterior atlo-axoid ligament, which is continuous 

 inferiorly with the commencement of the anterior common ligament. 5. One 

 of the atlo-axoid capsular ligaments ; the one on the opposite side has been 

 removed, to shew the approximated surfaces of the articular processes (6). 

 7. One of the occipito-atloid capsular ligaments. The most external of these 

 fibres constitute the lateral occipito-atloid ligament. 



