CERVICAL VERTEBRAE. 'lo 



inferior spinous process, which increases in size as it approaches 

 the posterior end of the bone, where it terminates in a projecting 

 tuberosity, which gives attachment to the longus colli muscle. 

 The lateral surfaces of the body, above the inferior spine, are 

 flattened, and somewhat excavated. 



The sitjoerior spinous processes or neural spines are mostly 



rudimentary, and rise from the centre , ^ 



of the quadrilateral space between 

 the oblique processes. They are 

 bifid posteriorly, the ligamentum 

 nuchas and spinalis colli muscle 

 being attached in the bifurcation. 



The transverse processes, broad, 

 short, strong, and irregular in shape, ' i^r. o 



pass directly outwards, and divide KiUit iitoiai mlw of .i cicMcai \eite- 



■ , , , ... biaof a Uoi^c. 1, >eiaal spine , 2, Aii- 



into two parts— one projecting an- ^^,^„^. ^i,,,,^^^ proce^^e,; s, Pctenoi 

 tero-inferiorlv, and the other postero- obhque pioce^se, : 5, Onuex anteum end, 



. „ . , "ni • • • and 9, Concave posterior end of the cen- 



inierioriy. i hey increase m size as trum; 6, Anterior ends of transverse pro- 



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



J > S, Inferior process, or hypapoiihysi.s. 



them, except the seventh, are 



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 vertebras give 

 attachment to the comj^lexus 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 vertebras, its vertical diameter being the greater. 

 The notches of the three posterior cervical vertebra? are also 

 larger than the rest. 



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

 three central cervical vertebrge are largest and strongest with the 

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

 the investing muscles in the living animal ; also that the bodies 

 progressively diminish in length, and increase in breadth and 

 depth from the second backwards. 



