358 HEAD AND NECK 



the posterior aspects of the vertebral bodies, constitutes the 

 anterior boundary of the vertebral canal. In the cervical 

 region it completely covers the bodies and does not present 

 the denticulated appearance which is so characteristic lower 

 down. It is attached chiefly to the fibre-cartilages and 

 the adjacent margins of the bones. 



The vertebral arches of the lower five cervical vertebrae are 

 bound together by (a) the articulations between the articular 

 processes ; (fr) ligamenta flava ; (c) interspinous ligaments ; 

 and (d) intertransverse ligaments ; (e) ligamentum nuchae. 



The joints between the opposing articular processes are of 

 the diarthrodial variety. The surfaces of bone are coated 

 with cartilage ; there is a joint cavity surrounded by a 

 distinct capsular ligament lined with a stratum synoviale. 

 This ligament is more laxly arranged in the neck than in 

 the lower regions of the vertebral column. 



The ligamenta flava may be examined on the laminae which were 

 removed for the display of the spinal medulla, and which the dissector was 

 directed to retain. They fill up the gaps between the laminae of the 

 vertebras, and can be best seen when the anterior aspect of the specimen 

 is viewed. 



Ligamenta Flava. These ligaments are composed of yellow 

 elastic tissue. Each is attached superiorly to the anterior 

 surface and inferior margin of the lamina of the vertebra 

 above, whilst inferiorly it is fixed to the posterior surface 

 and superior margin of the lamina of the vertebra next 

 below. In this way they form with the laminae a smooth, 

 even, posterior wall for the vertebral canal. Each ligament 

 extends from the posterior part of the articular processes to 

 the median plane, where its free thickened median border is 

 in contact with its fellow of the opposite side. The median 

 slit between them, in the space between each pair of 

 vertebral arches, is filled with some lax connective tissue, 

 which allows the egress from the vertebral canal of some 

 small veins. The width of the ligaments in the different 

 regions of the vertebral column depends upon the size of 

 the vertebral canal. Therefore they are widest in the neck 

 and in the lumbar part of the column. The ligamenta flava, 

 by virtue of their great strength and elasticity, are powerful 

 agents in maintaining the curvatures of the vertebral column ; 

 they also give valuable aid to the muscles in restoring the 



