PREVERTEBRAL REGION 353 



this it derives additional slips of origin from the bodies of the lower two 

 cervical vertebrae ; lastly, its lateral border is reinforced by slips from the 

 transverse* processes of the lower three or four cervical vertebrae. It 

 stretches 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. 



Longus Capitis (O.T. Rectus Capitis Anticus Major). The long capitis 

 is an elongated muscle which arises by four tendinous slips from the anterior 

 tubercles of the transverse 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 

 this insertion the muscle inclines slightly medially as it ascends upon the 

 anterior aspect of the vertebral column. It is supplied by twigs from the 

 first loop of the cervical plexus. 



Rectus Capitis Anterior (O.T. Anticus Minor). This is a small muscle. 

 It is partly concealed by the upper portion of the longus capitis, which 

 should be detached from its insertion, and turned downwards so as to bring 

 it 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. It is supplied by a filament from the first loop of the 

 cervical plex^ls. 



Before proceeding farther, the dissector should again examine the 

 attachments of the scalene muscles (v. p. 322). 



Musculi Intertransversarii. To obtain a proper display of the inter- 

 transverse muscles it will be necessary to remove the prevertebral and 

 scalene muscles. The intertransverse muscles consist of seven pairs of 

 small fleshy slips on each side, which connect the bifid extremities of the 

 cervical transverse processes ; they are the anterior and posterior inter- 

 transverse muscles. Each anterior muscle is attached to the anterior 

 tubercles of two adjacent transverse processes ; whilst the posterior extends 

 between the posterior tubercles. The highest pair of muscular slips lies 

 between the atlas and the epistropheus ; the lowest pair connects the 

 transverse process of the seventh cervical vertebra with the transverse 

 process of the first thoracic vertebra. 



Nervi Cervicales. The cervical spinal nerves have a 

 very definite relation to the intertransverse muscles. The 

 anterior branches of the lower six nerves make their 

 appearance by passing laterally between the two slips of the. 

 corresponding muscles. The posterior divisions of the same 

 nerves turn posteriorly, medial to the posterior muscular 

 slips. 



The upper two cervical nerves emerge from the vertebral 

 canal differently from the others. They pass posteriorly 

 over the posterior arch of the atlas and the vertebral arch of 

 the epistropheus. 



Dissection. The vertebral artery as it traverses the succession of 



foramina in the transverse processes of the cervical vertebras should now 



be exposed. Remove the intertransverse muscles as well as the muscles 



still attached to the transverse process of the atlas viz., the rectus lateralis, 



VOL. II 23 



