272 SKELETON. 



be affixed to the body of the second vertebra behind. Some 

 of these fibres arise from the margin of the occipital foramen, 

 and others from the internal face of the condyloid processes.* 

 They are joined at their external margins by a few fibres from 

 the first vertebra, near its upper oblique process. 



The Transverse Ligament (Ligamentum Transversale At- 

 lantis, Ligament Transverse,) is placed immediately behind the 

 processus dentatus, and divides the atlas into two unequal rings 

 by being stretched from one side to the other. It is larger in 

 the middle than at the extremities, and has the latter inserted 

 into the little tubercle at the internal side of the atlas, between 

 the upper and the lower articular surfaces. It is^a thick, strong 

 fasciculus of fibres, and binds the processus dentatus so as to form 

 for it a sprt of collar, amounting to about one-fourth of a circle. 

 The superior appendix of this ligament arises by a broad base 

 from the anterior margin of the foramen magnum, and termi- 

 nates below by a narrow .end in the upper margin of the trans- 

 verse ligament. The inferior appendix arises from the lower 

 edge of the transverse ligament, and is attached, by a some- 

 what converging end, into the posterior face of the body of the 

 vertebra dentata. 



The surfaces of contact belonging to the processus dentatus, 

 and to the anterior ring of the atlas, are covered with cartilage, 

 and have a synovial membrane, so as to form a perfect joint 

 called the vaginal ligament. A joint with a distinct synovial 

 membrane is, in like manner, formed between the posterior face 

 of the processus dentatus and the anterior of the transverse li- 

 gament, where they come into contact. 



The Oblique or Moderator Ligaments (Lig. Later alia, Liga- 

 mens Odontoidiens) are two, one on either side of the tooth-like 

 process. They may be seen most advantageously by cutting 

 through the transverse ligament, and arise from the side and 

 summit of the processus dentatus, to be inserted into the inter- 

 nal margin of the occipital condyle. They are thick, short, and 

 strong, and consist in parallel fibres ; their lower margin has been 

 considered as a distinct ligament by Weitbrecht, and described 



* Caldani, Icon. Anat. Explicatio, vol. i. p. 255. 



