174 LATISSIMUS DORS! RHOMBOIDEUS MINOR. 



with the supra-spinous ligament. It is connected with the spinous 

 processes of the rest of the cervical vertebra?, with the exception of 

 the atlas, by means of a small fibrous slip which is sent off by each. 

 It is the analogue of an important elastic ligament in animals. 



The latissimus dorsi muscle covers the whole of the lower part of 

 the back and loins. It arises from the spinous processes of the 

 six inferior dorsal vertebrae,* from all the lumbar and sacral 

 spinous processes, from the posterior third of the crest of the ilium, 

 and from the three lower ribs; the latter origin takes place by mus- 

 cular slips, which indigitate with the external oblique muscle of the 

 ubdomen. The fibres from this extensive origin converge as they 

 ascend, and cross the inferior angle of the scapula; they then curve 

 around the lower border of the teres major muscle, and terminate 

 in a short quadrilateral tendon,f which lies in front of the tendon of 

 the teres, and is inserted into the bicipital groove. A synovial 

 bursa is interposed between the muscle and the lower angle of the 

 scapula, and another between its tendon and that of the teres major. 

 The muscle frequently receives a small fasciculus from the scapula 

 as it crosses its inferior angle. 



Relations. By its superficial surface with the integument and 

 superficial fascia ; the latter is very dense and fibrous in the lumbar 

 region ; and with the trapezius. By its deep surface, from below 

 upwards, with the erector spinse, serratus posticus inferior, inter- 

 costal muscles and ribs, rhomboideus major, inferior angle of the 

 scapula and teres major. The latissimus dorsi with the teres major 

 forms the posterior border of the axilla. 



Second Layer. 



Dissection. This layer is brought into view by dividing the two 

 preceding muscles near to their insertion, and turning them to the 

 opposite side. 



The levator anguli scapulae, arises by distinct slips, from the pos- 

 terior tubercles of the transverse processes of the four upper cervical 

 vertebrae, and" is inserted into the upper angle and posterior border 

 of the scapula, as far as the triangular smooth surface at the root of 

 its spine. 



Relations. By its superficial surface with the trapezius, sterno- 

 mastoid, and integument. By its deep surface with the splenius 

 colli, transversalis colli, cervicalis ascendens, scalenus posticus, and 

 serratus posticus superior. The tendons of origin are interposed 

 between the attachments of the scalenus posticus in front and the 

 splenius colli behind. 



The rhomboideus minor (rhombus, a parallelogram with four 

 equal sides) is a narrow slip of muscle, detached from the rhomboi- 



* Homer says seven. G. 



t A small muscular fasciculus from the pectoralis major is sometimes found connected 

 with this tendon. 



