26 



A MANUAL OF ANATOMY 



pophysis), which corresponds with the superior tubercle of the 

 lower thoracic transverse processes. The inferior articular pro- 

 cesses are convex, their planes being vertical, and their direction 

 being outwards and forwards, so that they look away from 

 each other. They are nearer to each other than the superior 

 pair, and are received between the superior pair of the vertebra 

 below. 



The transverse processes are comparatively slender, except in 

 the case of the fifth; they are directed outwards and slightly 

 backwards, and they increase in length from the first to the 

 fourth. Each is spatula - shaped, being compressed from before 



Body 



Transverse Process 



; I 



Accessory Process I 

 Mammillary Process 



/ Back of Inferioi 

 Articular Process 



Superior Articular Proces 



Fig. i6. — The Third Lumbar Vertebra (Superior View). 



backwards, and terminates in a short round border. It repre- 

 sents the vertebral portion of a rib, and therefore constitutes 

 the costal element of the vertebra. Situated on the posterior 

 aspect of the base of the transverse process, just external to and 

 below the lower border of the superior articiilar process, there is 

 a small sharp projection directed downwards, called the accessory 

 process {anapophysis) , which is the rudiment of the true transverse 

 process, and is serially homologous with the inferior tubercles of 

 the lower thoracic vertebras and the other thoracic transverse 

 processes. In the case of the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebras 

 the transverse process becomes shifted on to the pedicle, and even 

 slightly on to the body. Between the base of the transverse process 

 and the accessory process posteriorly there are a few nutrient 



