274 SKELETON. 



The posterior ligament is placed between the first and second 

 vertebrae behind, and is connected to their contiguous margins 

 so as to fill up the interval between them, and to supply the 

 place of the yellow ligaments. It is extremely loose and thin, 

 so as not to interfere in the movements of the vertebrae, and is 

 almost of a cellular structure. 



The syuovial membrane of these oblique processes is unu- 

 sually lax, and is reflected from the margin of the one articular 

 surface to the other. It is in contact in front with the anterior 

 ligament; behind with the posterior and with much cellular 

 substance; internally with the ligaments within the spinal canal, 

 and externally with the carotid artery. The latter obtains from 

 it a serous covering, without which, according to Bichat, it 

 would be bathed in the synovial fluid. 



CHAPTER VI. 



OF THE LIGAMENTS OF THE PELVIS. 



THE mode of junction between the sacrum and the last lum- 

 bar vertebra, is, in every respect, the same as that described 

 for the bones of the spine generally, with the addition of a liga- 

 ment on each side, sometimes met with, called Sacro-vertebral, 

 which arises from the transverse process of the last lumbar 

 vertebra, and going obliquely downwards, is inserted into the 

 superior part of the sacrum by blending itself with the anterior 

 fibres of the sacro-iliac junction. 



The Sacrum is united to the coccyx by a fibro-cartilaginous 

 substance, resembling that between the bodies of the true ver- 

 tebrae, with the exception of there being less pulpy matter in 

 its centre, and of its fibrous lamellae being more uniform. The 

 bones of the coccyx are also united with one another in the 

 same way ; in consequence of which they are very flexible till 

 the approach of old age. 



The Anterior Coccygeal Ligament, (Lig. Sacro-coccygeum 



