PECTOEAL GIRDLE 375 



i. The scapula is a long flattened blade-like bone, 

 which in the natural condition of the parts 

 lies above the ribs, a short distance from and 

 almost parallel to the vertebral column. It 

 is connected by muscles with both the ribs 

 and the vertebrae. Its anterior end, which 

 is expanded and firmly connected with the 

 coracoid, bears on its outer surface a shallow 

 depression, forming part of the glenoid cavity ; 

 and is produced forwards, at its inner border, 

 into a process which helps to form the canal 

 for the tendon of the second pectoral muscle. 



ii. The coracoid is a stout straight bone, running 

 from the shoulder to the anterior end of the 

 sternum. Its upper end is connected behind 

 and at its inner side with the scapula, and 

 bears on its outer surface a "cup-shaped de- 

 pression, which forms the greater part of the 

 glenoid cavity. 



Above the glenoid cavity, the coracoid is 

 produced upwards and inwards into a strong 

 process, which, with the corresponding process 

 of the scapula, completes the foramen trios- 

 seum through which the tendon of the second 

 pectoral muscle passes to its insertion into 

 the back of the humerus. This process also 

 articulates with the clavicle. 



The lower end of the coracoid is broad and 

 flattened, and bears a transversely elongated 

 surface, articulating with the anterior end of 

 the sternum. 



iii. The clavicles are a pair of slender curved bones, 

 whose upper ends are slightly expanded, and 

 connected, as described above, with the cora- 

 coids ; while their lower ends are fused together 

 to form a median, laterally compressed plate. 

 The two clavicles together form the fur- 

 cula or ' merrythought.' 



