THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN. 17 
the ligamentum nuche or cervical supraspinous ligament.. 
It is imbedded in the superficial muscles of this region, some 
of which take origin from it. 
Ligamentous fibers are also present’ between the spinous 
processes of the vertebre (ligamenta interspinalia): between 
the transverse processes (ligamenta intertransversaria), and 
between the vertebral arches (ligamenta flava). 
Capsule articulares.—The joints between the articular 
processes are furnished with articular capsules attached about 
the edges of the articular surfaces. These are larger and looser 
in the cervical region. 
Atlanto-occipital Articulation.—The joint between the 
atlas and the occipital condyles has a single articular capsule, 
which is attached about the borders of the articular surfaces of 
the two bones. This capsule is of course widest laterally, 
forming indeed two partially separated sacs, which are, how- 
ever, continuous by a narrow portion across the ventral middle 
line. This capsule communicates with that which covers the 
articular surface of the dens, and through this with the capsule 
between the atlas andaxis. That portion of the capsule which 
covers the space between the ventral arch of the atlas and the 
occipital bone represents the anterior atlanto-occipital mem- 
brane ; it is strengthened by a slender median ligamentous 
strand. The posterior atlanto-occipital membrane covers in 
the same way the space between the dorsal arch of the atlas and 
the dorsal edge of the foramen magnum. In it a number of 
different sets of fibers, with regard to direction and to degree 
of development, may be distinguished; these have sometimes 
been considered separate ligaments. 
The lateral ligaments of the atlas begin at the lateral 
angle of the cranial margin of the atlas, at about the junction 
of its dorsal and ventral arches, and pass cranioventrad to the 
jugular processes. 
Articulation between the Axis and Atlas.—The articular 
capsule is large and loose, being attached to dorsal and ventral 
borders of the atlas, about the articular surfaces of the axis, 
and to the cranial projection of the spine of the atlas. It also 
passes craniad along the ventral side of the dens and communi- 
