144 CERVICAL VERTEBRA. 



in any other vertebra, not only on account of the medulla being 

 largest here, but also to prevent its being hurt by the motions of 

 this vertebra on the second. This large hole, and the long 

 transverse processes, make this the brqadest vertebra of the neck. 

 The condyles of the os occipitis move forwards and backwards 

 in the superior oblique processes of this vertebra ; but from the 

 figure of the bones forming these articulations, it is evident that 

 very little motion can here be" allowed to either side ; and there 

 must be still less circular motion. 



The second vertebra of the neck is called dentata. It is 

 somewhat of a pyramidal figure, being large, and extended down- 

 wards, especially in front, to enter into a hollow of the vertebra 

 below ; while the upper part has a long process, with its extre- 

 mity formed into an obtuse point. This process, from its sup- 

 posed resemblance to a tooth, has given name to the vertebra. 

 The side of it, on which the concave surface of the anterior arch 

 of the first vertebra plays, is convex, smooth, and covered 

 with a cartilage ; and it is of the same form behind, to accom- 

 modate the ligament which is extended transversely from one 

 rough protuberance of the first vertebra to the other, and is 

 cartilaginous in the middle. A ligament likewise goes out in 

 an oblique transverse direction, from each side of the processus 

 dentatus, to be fixed at its other end to the first vertebra, and 

 Fig. 34.* to the occipital bone ; and another liga- 



ment rises up from near the point of the 

 process to the os occipitis. 



The superior oblique processes of the 

 vertebra dentata are large, circular, 

 very nearly in a horizontal position, and 

 slightly convex, to be adapted to the 

 inferior oblique processes of the first 



* A lateral view of the axis or vertebra dentata. 1. The body. 2. The dentated 

 or odontoid process. 3. The smooth surface on the anterior face of the tooth-like 

 or dentated process, which articulates with the posterior face of the anterior arch 

 of the atlas. 4. The lamina. 5. The spinous process. 6. The transverse pro- 

 cess pierced obliquely by the foramen for the vertebral artery. 7. The superior 

 oblique or articular process. 8. The inferior articular process. 



