MUSCLES OF THE BODY. 123 
77, @), and near the origin with the rectus abdominis (Fig. 
73, &), the scalenus (Fig. 73, ff’), and the obliquus externus 
(Fig. 68, ~). Inner (medial) surface with the serratus posterior 
superior (Fig. 73, 7) and its tendon, and with the intercostales 
externi (Fig. 73, m). At its insertion the muscle touches the 
rhomboideus. The cranial edge is united to the caudal edge 
of the levator scapula (Fig. 73, “). 
Action.—Depressor of the scapula. 
M. levator scapule (Fig. 73, 7). 
Origin.—From the dorsal tubercles of the transverse pro- 
cesses of the last five cervical vertebrae and from the ligaments 
between the tubercles. A slip sometimes arises from the atlas. 
Lnsertion (Fig. 78, @) into a triangular area on the medial 
surface of the scapula near its vertebral border. It is continu- 
ous with the insertion of the serratus anterior. 
Relations.—Outer (lateral) surface with a mass of fat sep- 
arating it from the clavotrapezius (Fig. 68, @) and cleidomas- 
toid (Fig. 65, %), and with the subscapularis (Fig. 77, a). 
Inner (medial) surface with the splenius (Fig. 73, 4), the tendon 
of the serratus posterior superior (Fig. 73, 7), and the cervical 
portion of the longissimus dorsi (Fig. 69, 7’). Near the inser- 
tion the muscle touches the occipitoscapularis (Fig. 73, @) and 
rhomboideus. Caudal border united with the serratus anterior 
(Fig. 73, 2). 
Action. —Draws the scapula cranioventrad. 
B. MUSCLES OF THE BACK (interconnecting parts of the 
vertebral column) (Fig. 69).—The muscles connected with the 
vertebral column form a mass which is less markedly differen- 
tiated into distinct muscles than is the case in the limbs. A 
great longitudinal mass of fibres begins in the sacral region and 
extends along the vertebral column to the head. This mass 
contains fibres running in various directions and attached at one 
or both ends to the sacrum, the innominate bones, the spinous, 
transverse, and articular processes, and to the arches, of the ver- 
tebrze; to the ribs and to the head, and having in general the 
function of moving the vertebrz in various ways, or of moving 
parts connected with the vertebra. In some regions, especially 
the cervical, it is possible to distinguish clearly distinct muscles 
