148 LUMBAR VERTEBRAE. 



The transverse processes are longer in each lower vertebra 

 to the seventh or eighth, with their smooth surfaces, for the 

 tubercles of the ribs, facing gradually more downwards ; but 

 afterwards, as they descend, they become shorter, and the 

 smooth surfaces are directed more upwards. 



The spinous processes of the vertebrse of the back become 

 gradually longer and more slanting from the first, as far down 

 as the eighth or ninth vertet5ra ; from which they manifestly 

 turn shorter and more erect. 



The first vertebra, besides an oblong hollow in its lower 

 edge that assists in forming the cavity wherein the second rib 

 is received, has the whole cavity for the head of the first rib 

 formed in it. 



The eleventh often has the whole cavity for the eleventh rib 

 in its body, and wants the smooth surface on each transverse 

 process. 



The twelfth always receives the whole head of the last rib, 

 and has no smooth surface on its transverse processes, which 

 are very short. The smooth surfaces of its inferior oblique 

 processes face outwards as the lumbar do. In general the 

 upper vertebra of the back lose gradually their resemblance to 

 x those of the neck, and the lower ones approach gradually to the 

 figure of the lurnbar. 



Fig. 36.* The LUMBAR VERTEBRA are 



five bones, that may be distin- 

 guished from any others by these 

 marks: 1. Their bodies, though 

 of a circular form at their fore- 

 part, are somewhat oblong from 

 one side to the other. The 

 epiphysis on their edges are 

 larger ; and therefore the upper and lower surfaces of their 

 bodies are more concave than in the vertebrse of the back. 



* A lateral view of the lumbar vertebra. 1. The body. 2. The pedicle. 3. 

 The superior intervertebral notch. 4. The inferior intervertebral notch. 5. The 

 spinous process. 6. The transverse process. 7. The superior articular processes. 

 8. The inferior articular processes. 



