5i8 THE THORAX AND VERTEBRAL COLUMN 



processes and on the superior and inferior aspects of the body. 

 The two latter form ring-like epiphyses and do not extend over 

 the whole of the surfaces on which they are situated. 



The tendency for tuberculous disease to attack growing 

 bone is well illustrated by the frequency of Pott's disease in 



FJG. 158. Pott's Disease in Thoracic Region of a Child. The abscess 

 is undergoing calcification and absorption. 



childhood compared with its comparative rarity after puberty. 

 The infection being carried by the blood-stream ; the disease 

 begins as an osteo-myelitis near the anterior surface of the body, 

 because the nutrient artery enters the body posteriorly and 

 breaks up into a leash of small vessels about its centre. Owing 

 to the absence of complete epiphyseal plates, it readily spreads 

 to the adjoining vertebrae. 



If the disease spreads forwards, the anterior part of the 



