ABDOMEN AND PELVIS. 



BONES. 



Lumbar Vertebrae. There are five, distinguished by the 

 absence of costal facets, and of foramina in the transverse 

 processes. The body is large and kidney-shaped, widest trans- 

 versely and thickest in front. The pedicles are short, stout, 

 and directed backward ; the superior notches are shallow, and 

 the inferior deep. The laminae are broad and almost vertical. 

 The spinal foramen is large and triangular. The spine is spat- 

 ulous, thick posteriorly, and inclined slightly downward. The 

 transverse processes run outward and slightly backward from 

 the junction of pedicle and lamina in the upper ones, slightly 

 more anteriorly in the lower ones. Each presents posteriorly, 

 just external to and below the superior articular process, a 

 small accessory tubercle. The superior articular processes spring 

 from the pedicles and laminse, and have concave, vertical, and 

 in- turned facets ; on the posterior edge of each is an elongated 

 oval mammillary process. The inferior articular processes 

 spring from the lower edges of the laminse, at the root of the 

 spine, and have convex, vertical, and out-turned facets. [82] 



Fifth Vertebra. The body is the largest and its under sur- 

 face is cut away behind. The transverse process is pyramidal 

 and comparatively thick, and springs from the pedicle and 

 body by a broad base; it is directed outward and slightly up- 

 ward and backward, and its upper surface is slightly grooved 

 by the superior notch; a deep notch separates it from the 

 superior articular process, which looks backward and inward. 

 The inferior articular processes are in line with the superior and 



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