CHAPTER IX. 



ABDOMEN. 



OSTEOLOGY. 



Lumbar VERXEBRji:. — ^S^ls^^i. General characters : 

 They are longer and wider than the dorsal ; tlie supe- 

 rior spinous process is short, thin, with a rough crest 

 on the apex ; the transverse processes are very large, 

 liorizontal and flattened from above below ; the ante- 

 rior articular facets are liollow and the posterior prom- 

 inent and tooth-like. 



Specific characters. — The vertical diameter of the 

 body diminishes and the transverse diameter increases 

 from forwards backwards ; the transverse processes of 

 the first and second incline backwards, the third and 

 fourth are nearly straight, the fifth and sixth are bent 

 forward and are quite thick ; the posterior border of 

 the fifth has a wide articular facet, the sixth has one 

 on both the anterior and posterior borders. 



SYJVDESMOLOGY, 



Articulation of the two last lumbar vertebrji:. — 

 By wide facets o^ the bordei'S of the transverse processes 

 forming planiform diarthrosis, united by ligamentous 

 fibres and with one synovial capsula. 



