112 SKELETON OF THE OX 



SKELETON OF THE OX 



VERTEBRAL COLUMN 



The vertebral formula is C^TjjLgSjCyjg^^o- 



The cervical vertebrae are much shorter than those of the horse and are smaller 

 in their other dimensions. The articular processes are smaller than in the horse, 

 and a plate of bone connects each two of the same side. The transverse processes 

 of the third, fourth, and fifth are double; the upper part projects backward, and 

 is short and stout; the lower part is directed downward and forward, and is longer 

 and more plate-like. The lower part of the sixth transverse process is a large, 

 thick, quadrilateral and almost sagittal plate, directed downward. The seventh 

 transverse process is single, short, and thick, and presents no foramen transversa- 

 rium; it is in series with the upper part of the preceding processes. The spinous 

 processes are well developed, and increase in height from before backward. They 

 are directed upward and forward, with the exception of the last, which is nearly 

 vertical and is about four or five inches (ca. 10 to 12 cm.) in height. The summit of 

 that of the third bone is usually bifid. The ventral spines are prominent and thick 

 in their posterior part; they are absent on the last two. 



The atlas has a large rough tuberosity on its dorsal arch. The ventral arch 

 is very thick. The wings are less curved than in the horse, and the foramen trans- 

 versarium (posterior foramen) is absent. The cavities for the occipital condyles 

 are divided into upper and lower parts by a non-articular area, and are separated 

 by a narrow interval below. The posterior articular surfaces are flattened behind 

 and are continued into the vertebral canal, forming an extensive area for the odon- 

 toid process of the axis. 



The axis is short. The spine projects a little in front, and increases in height 

 and thickness behind; its posterior border descends abruptly. The odontoid 

 process (dens) is wide, and its upper surface is deeply concave from side to side. 

 The intervertebral foramen is circular and not so close to the anterior border of the 

 arch as in the horse. The posterior notches are not so deep. The transverse 

 processes are stouter, but the foramen transversarium is small and sometimes 

 absent. 



The thoracic vertebrae, thirteen in number, are larger than those of the horse. 

 The bodies are longer and are distinctly constricted in the middle. They bear a 

 thin-edged ventral crest. The arches — in addition to the usual notches, which are 

 shallow — ^are perforated in the posterior part by a foramen. The transverse 

 processes are thick and strong, and bear rounded mammillary processes (except 

 at the posterior end of the series) ; the last two, although prominent, do not always 

 articulate with the ribs. The spinous processes are long. The first is much higher 

 than in the horse, the next two are usually the most prominent, and behind this 

 there is a very gradual diminution in height. The backward slope, slight at first, 

 increases to the tenth; the last is vertical and lumbar in character. The summit 

 is usually pointed on the first, and the thickening on those further back is less than 

 in the horse. The width diminishes from the fifth to the eleventh usually. Both 

 borders of the spines are in general thin and sharp, but the last three or four some- 

 times have thick posterior margins. 



The lumbar vertebrae, six in number, are much longer than in the horse. The 

 bodies are much constricted in the middle, expanded at either end, and bear rudi- 

 mentary ventral crests. The fourth and fifth are usually the longest. The 

 intervertebral foramina are often double in the anterior part of the series, and are 



