THE NECK. 171 



spinous process of the dentata ; posteriorly it is in contact 

 with the anterior semi- spinalis muscle of the neck, and on 

 the wing of the atlas it covers the vertebral artery, where it 

 passes on to the ala, and then dips down through its pos- 

 terior foramen to anastomose with ramus anastomoticus. 

 Through the anterior foramen a branch of the artery runs 

 from the union of these two to the muscles situated about 

 here, . but the main portion passes through the foramen in 

 the pedicle of the atlas, and after gaining the vertebral 

 canal, pierces the dura mater, and uniting with its fellow 

 forms the basilar artery, which runs to the brain. 



Complexus major is attached in common with trachelo- 

 mastoideus to the oblicjue processes of the fourth, fifth, 

 sixth and seventh cervical vertebrse, and the transverse 

 processes of the two anterior dorsal vertebrae. It is also 

 attached to the oblique processes of the third, fourth, fifth 

 and sixth dorsal vertebrae, and to the oblic^ue process of the 

 third cervical vertebr£e ; anteriorly it blends with complexus 

 minor, and becomes inserted into the scabrous pit of the 

 occiput. It is attached along the greater part of the supe- 

 rior margin of ligamentum nuchse. Its posterior attach- 

 ment is covered by a muscle which seems at first sight to 

 be a part of longissimus dorsi, i.e. cervico- dor sails, which 

 is attached in common with complexus major to the 

 oblique processes of the six anterior dorsal vertebrae, and 

 runs forwards to the transverse xH'ocesses of the three pos- 

 terior cervical vertebrae (to the seventh it is attached by a 

 tendon, which it shares with longissimus dorsi). 



Complexus minor arises from the posterior part of the 

 superior spinous processes of the dentata, and, blending 

 anteriorly with the complexus major, becomes inserted into 

 the scabrous pit of the occiput. It lies in contact with its 

 fellow of the opposite side, for about here the ligamentum 

 nuchse is deficient, there being a space between its cordif orm 

 and membraniform portions. By removal of it we expose 



Rectus capitis posticus major, running from the ante- 

 rior part of the superior spinous process of the dentata, 

 becoming attached to the atloido-axoidal capsular ligament, 

 and blending in, become inserted into the scabrous pit of 

 the occiput with 



Rectus capitis posticus minor, which arises from the 

 superior part of the arch of the atlas, and is attached to the 

 atloido- occipital capsular ligament. 



