174 



THE ARTICULATIONS OF THE HORSE 



flat, and oval in the cervical region, small and flat in the thoracic region, while in 

 the lumbar region the anterior ones are concave and the posterior convex. The 

 joint capsule is strong and ample in the cervical region, in conformity with the large 

 size and greater mobility of these joints in the neck. In the thoracic and lumbar 

 regions the capsule is small and close. These joints are arthrodia. 



Associated with these joints are the ligamenta flava, which connect the arches 

 of adjacent vertebrae. They are meml^ranous and consist largely of elastic tissue. 



The supraspinous ligament extends medially from the occipital bone to the 

 sacrum. From the withers backward it consists of a strong cord of fibrous tissue, 

 attached to the summits of the vertebral spines. In the neck and withers it is 



Atlas 



Funicular part 



Expansion at withers 



Last cervical 

 vertebra 



First thoracic 

 vertebra 



Fig. 140. — Ligamentum Nuch^ of Horse. 

 ./.Scapula; ^', cartilage of scapula; 4. lamellar part of ligamentum nuchsp; a-, wing of atlas. 



Baum, Anat. fur Kiinstler.) 



(After EUenberger- 



remarkably modified to form the ligamentum nucha?, which requires more extended 

 notice. 



The ligamentum nuchae is a ]:)owerful elastic apjoaratus, the principal function 

 of which is to assist the (^xtensor muscles of the head and neck. It extends from 

 the ocei]5ital ])one to the withers, where it is directly continuous with the supra- 

 spinous ligament. It consists of two parts — funicular and lamellar. The funic- 

 ular part (Pars occipitalis) arises from the external occipital protuberance and the 

 fossa ])elow it, and is inserted into the summits of the vertel^ral spines at the 

 withers. Two bursae are usually found under it in the adult. The supra-atloid 

 bursa lies between the ligament and the dorsal arch of the atlas. The supra- 



