260 SKELETON OF THE BABBIT 



e. The neurapophysis or spinous process is a median 



dorsal crest, projecting upwards and forwards 

 from the top of the neural arch. 



f. The hypapophysis is a median ventral process from 



the under surface of the centrum, projecting 

 downwards and forwards. 



g. The transverse processes are a pair of large flattened 



processes with expanded ends, projecting forwards, 

 downwards, and outwards from the sides of the 

 centrum. 



h, The zygapophyses or articular processes are borne 

 on the two ends of the neural arch : they articulate 

 with those of the adjacent vertebrae, so as to limit 

 torsion and lateral displacement of the vertebral 

 column. 



i. The pre-zygapophyses, or anterior articular pro- 

 cesses, project upwards from the anterior end 

 of the neural arch. The articular surfaces 

 are concave, and turned inwards towards each 

 other ; above them the processes extend up- 

 wards to form the stout metapophyses. 

 ii. The post-zygapophyses, or posterior articular 

 processes, project backwards from the top of the 

 hinder end of the neural arch. The articular 

 surfaces are slightly convex, and face outwards 

 and downwards. 



j. The anapophyses are a pair of small, backwardly 

 directed processes from the hinder end of the 

 neural arch, below the post-zygapophyses and 

 above the intervertebral notches. 



2. The cervical vertebrae. 



These are seven in number in the rabbit, as in 

 almost all other mammals. As a group they are 

 characterised by the shortness of their centra ; the 

 small size of their spinous processes ; and the fusion 

 of the ribs with the vertebrae to form the perforated 



