280 SKELETON. 



from a more posterior situation of the transverse process to go 

 to the neck of the rib, somewhat more towards the tubercle of 

 the latter. It is designated by some writers as the posterior 

 transverse ligament, but the distinction between it and the lig. 

 trans, internum is so slight that it scarcely seems necessary to 

 consider them apart. The Internal Transverse Ligament is 

 much more conspicuous in the middle eight ribs, and in ex- 

 tremely emaciated subjects; in others, it is obscured by cellu- 

 lar adipose matter around the heads of the ribs. 



The External Transverse Ligament (Ligamentum Transver- 

 sarium Externum, or Costo-Tmnsversarium Posterius) is a well- 

 marked quadrangular plane of ligamentous fibres, placed on the 

 posterior surface of the costo-transverse articulation. It arises 

 from the extremity of the transverse process, and going out- 

 wardly, is inserted into the proximate rib, just beyond its arti- 

 cular tubercle. 



The Middle Costo-Transverse Ligament (Ligamentum Cer- 

 vicum Costarum, or Costo-Transversarium Medium) is extended 

 between and concealed by the neck of the rib and the contigu- 

 ous transverse process, and cannot be seen well without sepa- 

 rating them, or by sawing through their length. It is a collec- 

 tion of fibres, somewhat irregular, resembling condensed cellu- 

 lar substance, and slightly red. 



These posterior articulations all require a patient dissection, 

 as they are surrounded by small masses of adipose matter, 

 have the intercostal nerves and blood vessels in contact with 

 them before, and the muscles of the spine behind. The liga- 

 ments between the transverse processes and the ribs are, of 

 course, not found in the eleventh and twelfth, from the bones 

 not touching there. 



Besides what has been described, an aponeurosis or liga- 

 mentous membrane is extended from the transverse process of 

 the first and second lumbar vertebrae, to the inferior margin of 

 the last rib. A ligamentous membrane is also found near the 

 spine, extended between the contiguous margins of the last 

 two ribs. 



