706 



DISSECTION OF THE NECK. 



Rectus 

 anticus 

 minor is 

 beneath 

 preceding : 



Dissection 

 of inter- 

 transver- 



Inter- 

 transverse 

 muscles : 

 number 

 and attach- 

 ments ; 



relations ; 



Cervical 

 nerves in 

 their fora- 

 mina give 



anterior 



and pos- 

 terior 

 branches. 



First two 



nerves 



differ: 



anterior and 



posterior 

 branches. 



The RECTUS CAPITIS ANTICUS MINOR (G) is a small flat muscle 

 which arises from the front of the lateral mass of the atlas at th< 

 root of the transverse process, and is inserted into the basilar proces.- 

 of the occipital bone behind the last muscle, and half an inch fron 

 its fellow. 



The anterior primary branch of the suboccipital nerve emerge? 

 between the borders of this muscle and the rectus capitis late rails. 



Action. Tt helps in bending forwards the head. 



Dissection. The small intertrausverse muscles will come intr 

 view when the other muscles have been removed from the front and 

 back of the transverse processes. By tracing towards the spine the 

 anterior primary branches of the cervical nerves, the intertransver- 

 sales will be readily seen in front of and behind them. 



After the muscles and nerves have been examined, the tips of the 

 transverse processes may be cut off to lay bare the vertebral artery. 



The INTERTRANSVERSE MUSCLES are slender fleshy slips in the 

 intervals between the transverse processes. In the neck there are 

 six pairs on each side the first being between the atlas and axis 

 One set is attached to the anterior, and the other to the posterioi 

 tubercles of the transverse processes. 



The anterior primary divisions of the corresponding spinal nerves 

 issue between these muscles ; and the posterior primary divisions Ik 

 to the inner side of the hinder muscles. Between the atlas and the 

 occipital bone the rectus anticus minor and rectus lateralis represent 

 intertransverse muscles. 



Action. By approximating the transverse processes these muscles 

 bend the spinal column laterally. 



CERVICAL NERVES AT THEIR EXIT FROM THE SPINAL CANAL, 

 The trunks of the cervical nerves issue from the spinal canal through 

 the intervertebral foramina, except the first two, and bifurcate into 

 anterior and posterior primary branches. 



The anterior primary branch passes outwards between the inter- 

 transverse muscles, and joins with its fellows in the plexuses already 

 described. 



The posterior primary branch turns to the back beneath the 

 posterior intertransverse muscle and the other muscles attached to 

 the posterior parts of the transverse processes ; in its course it lies 

 close to the bone between the articular processes of the vertebra, 



Peculiarities in the first two. The first two nerves leave the spinal 

 canal above the neural arches of the atlas and axis, and divide at 

 the back of the neck into anterior and posterior branches. 



The anterior primary branch of the first or suboccipital nerve has 

 been examined (p. 636). The anterior branch of the second nerve, 

 after perforating the membrane between the neural arches of the 

 first and second vertebrae, is directed forwards outside the vertebral 

 artery, and between the two intertransverse muscles of the first 

 space, to join the cervical plexus. 



The posterior primary branches of the first two uerves are described 

 in the dissection of the back. 



