154 DISSECTION OF THE DOG 



fibres from the first thoracic vertebra, and is attached to the articular and 

 spinous processes of the last six cervical vertebrae. 



M. multieidus cbrvicis. — The multifidus of the neck is a continuation of 

 the already examined multifidus muscle of the back, but is much better 

 developed. In position lateral to the semispinalis and underneath the com- 

 plexus, the muscle consists of four or five bundles which run from the articular 

 processes of the last four or five cervical vertebrae to the spinous processes of 

 the second, third, fourth, and fifth vertebrae of the neck. 



The dorsal divisions of the cervical nerves appear at the lateral border of 

 the muscle and lie on its superficial surface. 



Mm. inter- transversarii. — The intertransverse muscles of the neck are 

 double, with the ventral primary divisions of the cervical nerves passing 

 between their dorsal and ventral portions. 



Ligamentum nuch^e. — The ligament of the nape of the neck is in the form 

 of a flattened, elastic cord extending from the spinous process of the epi- 

 stropheus to the tip of the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra, where 

 it is continuous with the supraspinous ligament. By careful examination, the 

 dissector can satisfy himself that the ligament consists of right and left halves. 



Immediately behind the occipital bone there is a group of muscles, the 

 straight and oblique muscles of the head, which connects tbe atlas and epi- 

 stropheus to the skull. The occipital nerve (a branch of the second cervical 

 nerve) and branches of the occipital vessels cross the muscles superficially. 



M. rectus capitis dorsalis major. — The larger dorsal straight muscle 

 of the head is flat and in contact with its fellow of the opposite side. With 

 an origin from the spinous process and possibly also from the adjacent part 

 of the caudal articular process of the epistropheus or second cervical vertebra, 

 its insertion is into the occipital bone immediately ventral to the insertion of 

 the semispinalis capitis. 



A separable part of the muscle (m. rectus capitis dorsalis medius) arises 

 from the oral extremity of the spinous process of the second cervical vertebra. 



Dissection. — Reflect the rectus capitis dorsalis major muscle. 



M. rectus capitis dorsalis minor. — This is a small muscle passing from 

 the oral border of the dorsal arch of the atlas to the occipital bone. 



M. obliquus capitis caudalis.— Of the two oblique muscles of the head 

 the more caudal is the larger. A powerful muscle springing from the whole 

 of the spinous process of the epistropheus, its fibres run obliquely oral and 

 lateral to be inserted into the wing of the atlas. 



M. obliquus capitis cranialis. — Smaller than the preceding, this muscle 

 arises from the oral and lateral border of the wing of the atlas, runs obliquely 

 orally and medially, and is inserted into the mastoid process of the temporal 

 bone. 



