BACK AND POSTERIOR CERVICAL REGION. 133 



INTER-SPINALES. In the neck, where the spines are bifid, 

 they are arranged in pairs ; they are wanting between the 

 first two cervical vertebrae, and in the dorsal region they 

 are rudimentary ; as their name indicates, their origin is 

 from one spinoiis process, and their insertion is into that of 

 the next vertebra below it. 



Similarly disposed to these last are the INTER-TRANS- 

 VERSALES MUSCLES, best marked in the cervical region, 

 where they are arranged in pairs, corresponding to the 

 anterior and posterior tubercles of the transverse processes 

 between which they are arranged ; the posterior muscle in 

 the upper inter-transverse space is often wanting. The 

 posterior branches of the spinal nerves emerge between the 

 inter-transversales muscles. 



A better defined series of muscles remains to be ex- 

 amined; they are those which communicate to the head 

 its peculiar movements ; they are covered in by an apo- 

 neurosis of fibrous tissue, which is to be removed ; in so 

 doing, the sub-occipital, or first cervical nerve, is to be re- 

 spected. 



The RECTUS CAPITIS POSTICUS MAJOR arises from the 

 spine of the axis, and spreading, fan-like, is inserted into 

 and beneath the inferior curved line of the occipital bone. 

 It diverges from its fellow so as to leave a deep interspace 

 between them. 



The RECTUS CAPITIS POSTICUS MINOR is placed internally 

 to the preceding; it arises from the posterior border of 

 the atlas, and is inserted into the occipital bone between 

 tlie inferior curved line and the foramen magnum. 



The OBLIQUUS INFERIOR arises from the spinous process 

 of the axis, externally to the rectus major muscle, and is 

 inserted into the transverse process of the atlas. 



The OBLIQUUS SUPERIOR arises from the transverse pro- 

 cess of the atlas, passes upward and forward, and is 

 inserted just behind the mastoid process, between the 

 curved lines of the occipital bone. 



The SUB-OCCIPITAL NERVE, the posterior division of the 

 first cervical nerve, pierces the ligament between the first 

 cervical vertebra and the occipital bone, and appears in 

 the interval between the recti and obliqui muscles ; it is 

 distributed to these muscles, and sends a branch downward 

 to communicate with the second cervical nerve. 



The strikingly symmetrical arrangement of the occipital 

 group of muscles cannot but be noticed. The muscles 

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