18 



A MANUAL OF ANATOMY 



The superior surface of the body is occupied by the odontoid 

 process and portions of the superior articular processes. The 

 inferior surface differs from that of other cervical vertebrae only 

 in the greater downward projection of its anterior lip. The anterior 

 surface presents a median vertical ridge which bifurcates inferiorly 

 into diverging lips, enclosing a small triangular surface. On either 

 side of the median ridge the surface is depressed, and gives 

 attachment to a portion of the longus colli muscle. The other 

 surfaces of the body present noting peculiar. 



The pedicles are concealed above by the superior articular pro- 

 cesses. Each, on its inferior aspect, presents a wide and deep 

 inferior vertebral notch, which is placed in front of an inferior articular 

 process. The superior vertebral notches, which are very shallow, 

 are situated on the upper borders of the laminae, and, like 



Atlanta! Facet 



Odontoid Process 



Groove for Transverse Ligament 



Superior Articular Process 

 perior 



_ , , Inferioi 



Body 1 Notch 



Costo-transverse Foramen 



Spine 



Lamina 



Inferior Articular Process 



Fig. io. — The Axis (Lateral View). 



those of the atlas, are placed behind the superior articular pro- 

 cesses. 



The laminae are massive, and give attachment by their upper 

 borders to the posterior atlanto-axial ligaments, whilst their 

 anterior surfaces, near the lower borders, give attachment to 

 ligamenta subflava, as in other vertebrae. 



The spinous process is massive. Its direction is backwards, and 

 it terminates in two strong tubercles, separated inferiorly by a 

 triangular cleft. Each of these tubercles gives attachment to some 

 of the deep fibres of the ligamentum nuchae, and to the following 

 muscles from above downwards: the rectus capitis posticus major; 

 the obliquus capitis inferior; and the highest portion of the semi- 

 spinalis colli. 



The superior articular processes are situated on the upper surface 

 of the pedicle at either side, the upper surface of the costal pro- 

 cess, and a portion of the superior surface of the body, upon which 



