INTERTRANSVERSE MUSCLES. 165 



The RECTUS CAPITIS ANTicus MINOR (fig. 45, ), is a small flat 

 muscle, which arises from the anterior transverse process and body of the 

 atlas ; and is inserted into the basilar process of the occipital bone between 

 the foramen magnum and the rectus major, and half an inch from its 

 fellow. 



The anterior primary branch of the suboccipital nerve lies between the 

 borders of this muscle and the rectus capitis lateralis. 



Action. Its power is very slight, but it will help in moving forwards 

 the head. 



Dissection. The small intertransversales muscles will come into view 

 when the other muscles have been removed from the front and back of the 

 transverse processes. By tracing towards the spine the anterior primary 

 branches of the cervical nerves, the intertransversales will be readily seen 

 on their sides. 



After the muscles and nerves have been examined, the tips of the 

 conjoined transverse processes may be cut off to lay bare the vertebral 

 artery. 



The INTERTRANSVERSE MUSCLES are slender fleshy slips in the inter- 

 vals between the transverse processes. In the neck there are seven pairs 

 the first being between the atlas and axis, and the last between the 

 lowest cervical and the first dorsal vertebra. One set is attached to the 

 anterior, and the other to the posterior tubercles on the tips of the con- 

 joined transverse processes. 



Between the muscles, except in the first two spaces, is the anterior pri- 

 mary branch of a cervical nerve ; and beneath the posterior muscle is the 

 other primary branch of the same nerve. In the upper space the posterior 

 muscle is often wanting ; and in the lowest space, the muscle of the ante- 

 rior set is smaller than the others, or it may be absent. 



Action. By approximating the transverse processes these muscles bend 

 the spinal column laterally. 



Cervical nerves at their exit from the spinal canal. The trunks of the 

 cervical nerves issue from the spinal canal through the intervertebral 

 foramina, except the first two, and bifurcate into anterior and posterior 

 branches. 



The anterior primary branch passes outwards between the intertrans- 

 verse muscles, and joins in plexuses with its fellows. 



The posterior primary branch turns to the Back beneath the posterior 

 intertransverse muscle, and the other muscles attached to the posterior 

 transverse processes; in its course it lies close to the bone between the 

 articular processes of the vertebra. 



Peculiarities in the first two. The first two nerves leave the spinal 

 canal above the neural arches of the atlas and axis, and divide at the back 

 of the neck into anterior and posterior branches. 



The anterior primary branch of the first or suboccipital nerve has been 

 examined (p. 115). The anterior branch of the second nerve, after per- 

 forating the membrane between the neural arches of the first and second 

 vertebras, is directed forwards outside the vertebral artery, and beneath 

 the first pair of intertransverse muscles, to join the cervical plexus. 



The posterior primary branches of the first two nerves are described in 

 the dissection of the Back. 



The vertebral artery has been seen at its origin in the neck (p. 77) ; 

 and its termination is described with the vessels of the brain. Entering 

 usually the foramen in the sixth cervical vertebra, the artery ascends ver- 



