206 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
(e) 
(f) 
(g) 
ANATOMY OF THE RABBIT. 
The basioclavicularis (basiohumeralis). Origin: Basiocci- 
pital bone. Insertion: Lateral third of the clavicle and the 
cleidohumeral ligament. 
The levator scapulae major. Origin: Cartilage union of 
basioccipital and basisphenoid (sphenooccipital synchon- 
drosis). Insertion: Metacromion. 
The superficial cervical artery (p. 257) passes obliquely forward 
and outward under cover of these muscles, ramifying beneath the superior 
portion of the trapezius in the fat-mass of the side of the neck. Its 
ascending cervical branch passes forward on the lateral surface of the 
external jugular vein. 
The trapezius. Origin in two portions: 
Superior (cervical) portion: External occipital protuber- 
ance and dorsal ligament of neck (ligamentum nuchae). 
Insertion: Metacromion and supraspinous fascia. 
Inferior (thoracic) portion. Origin: Spinous processes of 
the thoracic vertebrae and the lumbodorsal fascia. Inser- 
tion: Dorsal half of the scapular spine. The muscle forms 
a broad triangular sheet on the dorsolateral surface of the 
shoulder. 
The levator scapulae major, basioclavicularis, and trapezius should 
be divided. On the ventrolateral surface of the superior portion of the 
trapezius and levator scapulae major may be found nerves from the 
ventral rami of the third, fourth and fifth cervical spinal nerves. The 
great auricular nerve (n. auricularis magnus) passes from the third to 
the ear. 
The rhomboideus minor. Origin: Ligamentum nuchae. 
Insertion: Anterior two-thirds of the vertebral border of the 
scapula. 
The levator scapulae minor. Origin: Mastoid and supra- 
occipital portions of the skull. Insertion: Medial surface of 
the inferior angle of the scapula. 
The rhomboideus major Origin: Spinous processes of 
the first seven thoracic vertebrae. Insertion: Posterior 
third of vertebral border. The rhomboidei are almost 
continuous. 
By dividing the rhomboidei the scapula may be displaced laterad. 
The operation is facilitated by dividing the latissimus dorsi, the re- 
lations of which should, however, first be noted (2, a). 
