LIGAMENTS OF THE SPINE. 271 



tends from it to the corresponding edge of the atlas. On its 

 centre in front is a fasciculus, which being narrow and some- 

 what rounded, descends from the middle of the cuneiform pro- 

 cess to terminate in the tubercle on the front of the atlas ; and 

 consists in parallel fibres. The remainder is called by Caldani, 

 Membrana annuli anterioris atlantis, (Ligament occiptto-atloidien 

 anterieur.) It occupies and shuts up the whole space between 

 the basilar process of the os occipitis, from which it takes its 

 origin near the occipital foramen ; and the anterior arch of the 

 atlas, in the superior margin of which it is lost: in it are many 

 oblique fibres, which run from within outwards. 



The posterior Ligament is placed at the back part of the oc- 

 cipital foramen, and extends from it to the corresponding edge 

 of the atlas. It is called by Caldani, Membrana annuli poste- 

 rioris atlantis, (Ligament occipito-atloidien posterieur;) and arising 

 from the whole posterior margin of the occipital foramen be- 

 tween the condyles, it is extended to the upper contiguous mar- 

 gin of the atlas, so as to fill up completely this space. Bichat 

 says that it also consists in two laminae, the anterior of which 

 is fibrous, and runs into the dura mater of the spine instead of 

 into the bone: the posterior is of a much looser texture, and re- 

 sembles common cellular substance. A part of this membrane 

 runs obliquely from the transverse process of the atlas to the 

 part of the occiput just beneath the insertion of the rectus pos- 

 ticus minor. 



The articulating surfaces of the condyles, and the superior 

 oblique processes of the first vertebra, are covered with carti- 

 lage, and furnished with a synovial membrane arising from 

 their margins. On the exterior of the synovial membrane there 

 are irregular ligamentous fibres going between the bones, and 

 forming a capsule. 



2. Articulation of the second Vertebra with the Occiput, and 

 with the first. The second vertebra has no articular surface 

 joining the occiput, but some strong ligaments are passed be- 

 tween them. When the posterior vertebral ligament is removed 

 at its commencement from the occipital bone, we see on each 

 side of it, and beneath it, ligamentous bands (Lacerti Liga- 

 mentosi,) coming from the internal face of the os occipitis, to 



