— 121 — 



c<5ntinues in the succeeding dorsal vertebrae (fig. 21, 22 & 24). The position of 

 these lateral processes, initially with a somewhat forward inclination, gradually 

 passes into that of the 9th dorsal vertebra where it is perpendicular to the axis 

 of the body and remains so down to the end. 



The processus articulares first appear between the 2nd and 3rd 

 cervical vertebra, being there represented by nothing more than articular 

 facets in a more or less horizontal plane, the real processus first commencing 

 in the more posterior vertebrae. 



Likewise in the first few dorsal vertebrae the articular processes in conti- 

 nuation of those of the cervical vertebrae are of a very unimportant development 

 qua processes, whereas the articular facets are clearly discernible and accor- 

 dingly function well. These are directed upwards in the anterior articular pro- 

 cesses, and downward in the posterior articular processes. However, these posi- 

 tions are gradually modified, so that in the 4th vertebra thoracis the posterior 

 processus articularis extends already outwardly and in connection with this the 

 articular process of the 5th vertebra thoracis fitting together with it is turned 

 inward (figf. 23). 



Furthermore the articular facets of the processus articulares become 

 gradually smaller towards the rear so as to practically vanish from the 9th 

 vertebra thoracis onward; the posterior articular processes diminishing propor- 

 tionally also untill they to eventually vanish. 



The case of the anterior articular processes is on the contrary quite diffe- 

 rent, for as becomes apparent on comparing fig. 21 — 30 inch, these, contrarily, 

 become more massive, notwithstanding the circumstance that their articular 

 function gradually decreases to nihil. At the same time they become subservient 

 to another purpose, in as much as these rearwardly increasing anterior articular 

 processes of the dorsal region with their rougih surfaces serve for the attachment 

 of tendons for the separate interiorly directed muscular fascicles of the mus- 

 cuius longissimus dorsi. 



The vertebrae lumbales are 15 in number and form the most massive 

 part of the vertebral column. The separate vertebrae of this region present a 

 very uniform appearance, so that it is not necessary to take the central one 

 as the type or the lumbar section. The illustration (fig. 25) shows the third 

 lumbar vertebra, clearly displaying the different parts presenting the typical 

 characteristics of this region of the spine. 



