122 ARTHROLOGY, OR ANATOMY OF ARTICULATIONS 



cervical, a middle one to the first dorsal, but not a lower one; 

 there is a similar arrangement with the tenth, eleventh, and 

 twelfth ribs. On the under edge of the stellate ligament a 

 deep fasciculus passes from the side of the body to the under 

 surface of the head of the rib. 



The stellate ligament is continued into the cervical and 

 lumbar regions; a slip from a next higher vertebral body and 

 one from the adjacent intervertebral disk or body run to the 

 root of the transverse process. 



The capsular ligament is a loose bag, most distinct above 

 and below, and firmly connected with the stellate ligament. 



The inter articular ligament is a flat horizontal band of fibers 

 passing from the intervertebral substance to the crest on the 

 head of the rib; it divides the joint into non-communicating 

 cavities, each lined with a separate synovial membrane. The 

 first, eleventh, and twelfth ribs do not possess this ligament. 



2. Costotrans verse. Articulations of necks and tubercles 

 with the transverse processes superior, middle (interosseous), 

 and posterior costotransvcrse and capsular ligaments. 



The superior ligaments are two in number: The antcrioi 

 passes from the upper border of the neck of each rib up and 

 out to the lower border of the transverse process and neck 

 of the rib above. Its inner border completes an aperture be- 

 tween it and the articular process, corresponding to an anterior 

 sacral foramen. Its external border is continued in a thin 

 aponeurosis over the external intercostal muscle. The first 

 rib does not possess this ligament. The posterior band is less 

 regular, and extends from the neck of the rib up and into the 

 transverse and lower articular process next above. 



The middle costotransverse is very short, and connects the 

 neck of the rib to the front of the adjacent transverse and 

 articular process. This is lacking in the case of the eleventh 

 and twelfth ribs. 



The posterior costotransverse passes obliquely from the summit 

 of the transverse process to the tubercle of the adjacent rib 

 and is accessory to the capsule behind wanting on the eleventh 

 and twelfth ribs. The joint has a thin capsular ligament 

 enclosing a synovial membrane. 



Nerves are anterior branches of spinal nerves; arteries, the 

 intercostals. 



