CERVICAL VERTEBRA. 25 



The superior spinalis processes or neural spines are mostly 

 Tudimentaxy, and rise from the centre 

 •of the quadrilateral space between 

 the oblique processes. They are 

 bifid posteriorly, the ligamentum 

 nuchse and spinalis colli muscle 

 being attached in the bifurcation. 



The transverse processes, broad, 

 short, strong, and irregular in shape, ' p^^ g 



pass directly outwards, and divide ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^ ^^ ^^^ 



into two parts one projecting an- bra of a Horse, l, JSreural spine ; 2, Ah- 



. p . 1 1,1 ,1 , terior oblique processes; 3, Posterior 



terO-infenorly, and the other pOSterO- oblique processes; 5, convex anterior end. 



inferiorly. They increase in size as and 9, concave posterior end of the cen- 



*' "' 1 11 /. trum; 6, Anterior ends of tran-sversepro- 



they extend backwards, and all of cesses; and 7, Posterior end of nght one; 



them, except the seventh, are S, inferior process, or hypapophysi.. 



pierced by the vertebral foramen, through which pass the verte- 

 bral artery and vein. These processes give attachment to the 

 serratus magnus, splenius, longus colli, intransversalis colli, levator 

 humeri, and other muscles acting upon the head and neck. 



The articular processes, larger than in any other region, have 

 flattened oval articular surfaces ; the anterior two look upwards 

 and inwards, while the posterior look downwards and outwards. 

 The articular processes of the posterior five cervical vertebrae give 

 attachment to the complexus major, trachelo mastoideus, and 

 spinalis colli muscles. 



The arches, stronger than in any other region, enclose the spinal 

 canal, which progressively increases in size in the direction of 

 the dorsal vertebrae, its vertical diameter being the greater. The 

 notches' of the three posterior cervical vertebrae are also larger 

 than the rest. 



Viewed in situ, it is seen that the transverse processes of the 

 three central cervical vertebrae are largest and strongest, with the 

 exception of that of the first, and they can be detected under 

 the investing mus<iles in the living animal ; also that the bodies 

 progressively diminish in length, and increase in breadth and 

 depth from the second backwards. 



The first, second, sixth, and seventh cervical vertebrae having) 

 features peculiar to themselves, require special notice. 



