178 THE SCAPULA. 



right angle ; and what is called the anterior does not deserve 

 the name, for the two sides do not meet to form an angle. The 

 body of this bone is concave towards the ribs, and convex 

 behind, where it has the name of dorsum. Three processes are 

 generally reckoned to proceed from the scapula. The first is the 

 large spine that rises from its convex surface behind, and divides 

 it unequally. The second process stands out from the forepart 

 of the upper side; and, from its imaginary resemblance to a 

 crow's beak, is named coracoides. The third process is the 

 whole thick bulbous forepart of the bone. 



Into the oblique space the musculis patientia (levator scapul<z) 

 is inserted. At the root of the spine, on the, back part of the 

 base, a triangular flat surface is formed by the pressure of the 

 lower fibres of the trapezius. Below this, the edge of the 

 scapula is scabrous and rough, for the insertion of the serratus 

 major anticus and rhomboid muscles. 



The back part of the inferior angle is made smooth by the 

 latissimus dorsi passing over it. The muscle also alters the 

 direction of the inferior costa some way forwards from this angle : 

 and so far it is flattened behind by the origin of the teres major. 

 As the inferior costa advances forward, it is of considerable 

 thickness, is slightly hollowed, and made smooth behind, by the 

 teres minor ; while it has a fossa formed into it below, by part 

 of the subscapularis ; and between the two, a ridge with a small 

 depression appears, where the extensor longus cubiti has its 

 origin. 



The superior costa is very thin ; and near its forepart there 

 is a semi-lunar notch, from one end of which to the other, a 

 ligament is stretched ; and sometimes the bone is continued to 

 form one, or sometimes two holes, for the passage of the scapular 

 blood-vessels and nerves. Immediately behind this semilunar 

 cavity, the coraco-hyoideus muscle has its rise. From the notch, 

 to the termination of the fossa for the teres minor, the scapula 

 is narrower than any where else, and supports the third process. 

 This part has the name of cervix. 



The whole dorsum of the scapula is always said to be con- 

 vex ; but, by reason of the raised edges that surround it, it is 



