THE SPINE. 83 



On each side of the tooth-like process, this bone presents its 

 superior oblique process, as a shoulder, nearly horizontal, circu- 

 lar, and somewhat convex. The inferior oblique process has 

 nothing peculiar either in its position or direction. The fora- 

 men of the transverse process is directed upwards and outwards. 

 The interior part of the body, like that of the other vertebrae, 

 is cellular. 



The posterior part of the second vertebra is strong and broad. 

 The spinous process is longer than any other except the seventh, 

 and sometimes the sixth; it is also much larger, is triangular, 

 presents a ridge above and a fossa below, and is bifurcated at 

 its extremity. Just behind the upper oblique process there is 

 a very superficial notch, scarcely discernible, for the inter- 

 vertebral foramen. The processus dentatus is the pivot or axle 

 upon which the head revolves, and is stationary while such 

 motions are going on. 



The vertebrae of the neck increase gradually in the size of 

 their bodies from the second to the seventh; and there is suffi- 

 cient uniformity between them, wth the exception of the last, 

 to render the general Inscription applicable, though it is not 

 difficult to observe some minute and unimportant points of dif- 

 ference. 



The spinous process of the sixth vertebra is long, and termi- 

 nates in a sharp point. 



The seventh cervical looks like a dorsal vertebra, and has 

 some peculiarities which are well marked. Its body is larger, 

 its superior face is less concave than in the others, and its infe- 

 rior face is flat. Its spinous process is the longest of all, is not 

 bifurcated, but terminates by a rounded tubercle easily felt be- 

 neath the skin. Its transverse processes are thrown somewhat 

 backwards, and though there is a small foramen in them, it is 

 not large enough to receive the vertebral vessels. Sometimes 

 on. the side of its body, at the lower margin, is a small face, by 

 which it partially articulates with the head of the first rib. 



M. Portal* reports, that in some rare cases he has seen only 

 six, and in others, eight cervical vertebrae, with neither of which 

 deviations have 1 ever met. 



* Anat. Medicale. Paris, 1803. 



