PREVERTEBRAL REGION 265 



upper two or three thoracic vertebrae ; and it derives addi- 

 tional slips of origin from the bodies of the lower two cervical 

 vertebras ; lastly, its lateral border is reinforced by slips from 

 the transverse processes of the lower three or four cervical 

 vertebrae. It passes vertically upwards, and is inserted upon 

 the medial side of the upper oblique part of the muscle by 

 three tendinous processes, which obtain attachment to the 

 bodies of the second, third, and fourth cervical vertebrae. It 

 is supplied by the anterior rami of the cervical nerves. It 

 bends the neck forwards. 



Longus Capitis (O.T. Rectus Capitis Anticus Major). 

 The longus capitis is an elongated muscle which arises by 

 four tendinous slips from the anterior tubercles of the trans- 

 verse processes of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth cervical 

 vertebrae. It is inserted, anterior to the foramen magnum, 

 upon the under aspect of the basilar portion of the occipital 

 bone. To reach its insertion the muscle inclines slightly 

 medially as it ascends upon the anterior aspect of the 

 vertebral column (Fig. 99). It is supplied by twigs from the 

 first loop of the cervical plexus. It bends the head forwards. 



Eectus Capitis Anterior (O.T. Anticus Minor). The 

 rectus capitis anterior is a small muscle. It is partly con- 

 cealed by the upper portion of the longus capitis, which 

 should be detached from its insertion, and turned downwards 

 so as to bring the capitis anterior fully into view. It arises 

 from the anterior aspect of the lateral mass of the atlas and, 

 proceeding upwards and medially, is inserted into the under 

 surface of the basilar portion of the occipital bone, postero- 

 lateral to the longus capitis (Fig. 99). It is supplied by a 

 filament from the first loop of the cervical plexus. It bends 

 the head forwards. 



Before proceeding farther, the dissector should again 

 examine the attachments of the scalene muscles (v. p. 233). 



Musculi Intertransversarii. To obtain a proper display 

 of the intertransverse muscles the prevertebral and scalene 

 muscles must be removed. The intertransverse muscles, on 

 each side, consist of seven pairs of small fleshy slips which 

 connect the bifid extremities of the cervical transverse pro- 

 cesses ; they are the anterior and posterior intertransverse 

 muscles. Each anterior muscle is attached to the anterior 

 tubercles of two adjacent transverse processes; whilst the 

 posterior extends between the posterior tubercles. The 



