50 OUTLINES OF EQUINE ANATOMY. 



ing tlie third cervical vertebra to form an intervertebral 

 gap. The anterior margin is very deeiDlj indented, generally 

 forming a large foramen, bounded anteriorly by a small 

 thin jn-ocess of'bone or of white fibrous tissue ; from this a 

 smooth broad grove runs downwards to the vertebral fora- 

 men ; it gives exit to the second cervical nerve, and also 

 gives passage to vessels. The ]josterior surface of the body 

 and the oblique processes (of which there are but two, pos- 

 teriorly placed) resemble those of the following cervical 

 vertebrae already described. The laminaB inferiorly form 

 the superior part of the ring, superiorly are wholly occupied 

 by the superior spinous process, which is very thick, and 

 from before backwards increases in height, thickness, and 

 roughness of its superior margin. This margin <x?iferior% 

 affords attachment to rectus capitis posticus major and to 

 the superior spinous ligament, j)osteriorly to ligamentuni 

 nuchte and complexus minor. It bifurcates posteriorly, 

 and its divisions blend with the oblicpie jn'ocesses. To the 

 sides of this process obliquus capitis inferior is attached 

 along its whole length. 



THE BOESAL VERTEBR-ffi 



are eighteen in number, and are characterised by the length 

 of their superior spinous processes, and by the synovial 

 articulatory surfaces on the supero -lateral parts of their 

 bodies for union with the heads of the ribs, also by articu- 

 latory surfaces on their transverse processes for union with 

 the tubercles of the ribs. They are the smallest of the true 

 vertebrae. In the anterior part they tend to assume the 

 cervical, in the posterior the lumbar type. 



NINTH DOESAL VERTEBRA. 



The body, on the upper surface, presents the usual 

 arrangement. Its two sides present superiorly at the 

 anterior and posterior parts concave synovial facets, ex- 

 tending on to the external surfaces of the pedicles. The 

 anterior facet looks forAvards and outwards, and comes into 

 connection with the posterior facet of the rib in front. The 

 posterior facet looks backwards, and slightly outwards, ana 

 is for the anterior facet of the head of the rib behind. 

 ■ Below this the sides are concave from before backwards, 



