MUSCLES OF THE BACK. 183 



The levatores costarum raise the posterior parts of the ribs, and 

 are probably more serviceable in preserving the articulation of the 

 ribs from dislocation, than in raising them in inspiration. 



In examining the following table, the student will observe the 

 constant recurrence of the number four in the origin and insertion 

 of the muscles. Sometimes the four occurs at the top or bottom of 

 a region of the spine, and frequently includes a part of two regions, 

 and takes two from each, as in the case of the serrati. Again, he 

 will perceive that the muscles of the upper half of the table take 

 their origin from spinous processes, and pass outwards to transverse, 

 whereas the lower half arise mostly from transverse processes. To 

 the student, then, we commit these reflections, and leave it to the 

 peculiar tenor of his own mind to make such arrangements as will 

 be best retained by his memory. 



