CERVICAL 



Cervical Vertebrce.-r-In a cervical ver- 

 Fig. 2.* tebra the body is smaller than in the other 



regions ; it is thicker before than behind, 

 broad from side to side, concave on the 

 upper surface and convex below ; so that 

 when articulated, the vertebrae lock the 

 one into the other. The lamince are 

 broad and long, and the included foramen 

 large and triangular. The superior and 

 inferior intervertebral notches are nearly 

 equal in depth. The spinous process is 

 short and bifid at the extremity, increas- 

 ing in length from the fourth to the seventh. The transverse processes 

 are also short and bifid, and grooved along the upper surface for the 

 cervical nerves. Through the base of the transverse process is the 

 vertebral foramenf for the passage of the vertebral artery and vein, 

 and vertebral plexus of nerves.J The transverse processes in this 

 region, are formed by two small developements, which proceed, the 

 one from the side of the body, the other from the pedicle of the 

 vertebra, and unite by their extremities so as to enclose the circular 

 area of the vertebral foramen. The anterior of these developements 

 is the rudiment of a cervical rib ;, and the posterior, the true trans- 

 verse process analogous to the transverse processes of the vertebras 

 in the dorsal and lumbar regions. The extremities of these de- 

 velopements constitute the two tubercles of the transverse process. 



The articular processes are oblique ; the superior looking upwards 

 and backwards ; and the inferior, downwards and forwards. 



There are three peculiar vertebrae in the cervical region : The 

 first or atlas ; the second or axis ; and the seventh or vertebra 

 prominens. 



The Mlas (named from 'supporting the head) is a simple ring of 

 bone without body, and composed of arches and processes. The 

 anterior arch has a tubercle upon its anterior surface, for the attach- 

 ment of the longus colli muscle ; and upon its posterior part is a 

 smooth surface, for the articulation of the odontoid process of the axis. 

 The posterior arch is longer and more slender than the anterior, 

 and flattened from above downwards ; at its middle is a rudimentary 

 spinous process ; and upon its upper surface, near the articular pro- 

 cesses, a shallow groove|| at each side, which represents a superior 

 intervertebral notch, and supports the vertebral artery, previously 



* A central cervical vertebra, seen upon its upper surface. 1. The body, concave in 

 the middle, and rising on each side into a sharp ridge. 2. The lamina. 3. The pedicle 

 rendered concave by the superior intervertebral notch. 4. The bifid spinous process. 

 5. The bifid transverse process. 6. The foramen for the vertebral artery. 7. The 

 superior articular process. 8. The inferior articular process. 



t There is an objection to this name, as it is liable to be confounded with the foramen 

 for the spinal medulla. G. 



t Sometimes, as in a vertebra now before me, a small additional opening exists by 

 the side of the vertebral foramen, in which case it is traversed by a second vein. 



Usually called vertebra dentata. G. 



|| This groove is sometimes converted into a foramen. 



