The Cervical Vertebræ

These are quadrangular, massive, and longer than the vertebræ of other regions; they decrease in length from the second to the last. The third, fourth, and fifth are typical, and have the following characters:

1. The bodies are long as compared with those of other vertebræ. Each presents a median ventral spine or crest, which becomes more prominent as it is traced backward, and is tuberculate at its posterior end. The lateral aspect is concave. The dorsal surface has a flat central area which is narrow in the middle of the vertebræ, and wide at either end; it gives attachment to the superior common ligament. On either side of this area is a groove which lodges the longitudinal spinal vein. These lateral grooves are connected at the middle of the surface by a transverse furrow, in which there are several foramina through which veins emerge from the spongy substance of the body. The anterior extremity presents a head which has an oval articular surface, strongly convex, and wider above than below. The posterior extremity is larger and has a nearly circular cotyloid cavity.

2. The arches are large and strong. They are perforated on either side by a foramen which communicates with the foramen transversarium. The vertebral notches are large.

3. The articular processes are large. Their articular surfaces are extensive, oval in outline, and slightly concave; the anterior ones are directed upward and inward, the posterior downward and outward. The remaining surface is mainly roughened for ligamentous and muscular attachment. A crest connects the articular processes of the same side on the fourth and fifth; on the third it does not reach the anterior process.

4. The transverse processes are large and plate-like. Each arises by two roots, one from the arch and one from the body; between these is the foramen transversarium, through which the vertebral artery passes. The process divides externally into anterior and posterior branches, which are thickened and rough for muscular attachment.

5. The spinous process is represented by a crest (Crista spinosa), which widens behind, and is connected by ridges with the posterior articular processes.

The sixth cervical vertebra has the following distinctive features: It is shorter and wider than the fifth. The arch is large, especially posteriorly. The posterior articular processes are shorter, thicker and further apart; they are connected with the anterior ones by a thick ridge. The spinous process is less rudimentary; it is half an inch or more (ca. 1.5 cm.) in height. The transverse processes have three branches; the third part is a thick, almost sagittal plate, which forms with its fellow and the body a wide ventral groove on the posterior part of the vertebra; the other branches correspond to those of the typical vertebræ, but are short and thicker. The foramen transversarium is large; below its posterior end is a fossa. The ventral crest is small and is less prominent posteriorly.

The third branch of the transverse process and the fossa are sometimes absent on one side.

The seventh cervical vertebra is readily distinguished by the following characters: It is shorter and wider than the others. The body is flattened dorso-ventrally and wide, especially behind; here it has a demifacet on either side for articulation with part of the head of the first rib. The arch and its notches are large. The anterior articular processes are wider and longer than the posterior pair. The spinous process is an inch or more (ca. 3 cm.) in height. The transverse process is undivided, and has no foramen transversarium. The ventral crest is replaced by a pair of tubercles.

In some specimens a large foramen transversarium is present on one side or (rarely) on both.

The Atlas

This vertebra is decidedly atypical in form and structure. The body and spinous process are absent. It has the form of a strong ring, from which two curved plates, the wings, project laterally. The ring incloses a very large vertebral foramen, and consists of two lateral masses connected by dorsal and ventral arches.

The lateral masses (Massæ laterales) present two deep oval anterior articular cavities (Foveæ articulares craniales) which receive the occipital condyles; they are separated by a wide notch above and a narrow one below. The outer margin is also notched, and a triangular non-articular depression cuts into the inner part of each cavity. The posterior articular surfaces (Facies articulares caudales) are somewhat saddle-shaped; they are confluent on the ventral arch below, but are widely separated above, and do not conform in shape to the corresponding surfaces of the axis.

The dorsal arch (Arcus dorsalis) presents a median dorsal tubercle (Tuberculum dorsale) and is concave below. It is perforated on either side near its anterior margin by the intervertebral foramen. The anterior border is deeply notched, and the posterior is thin and concave.

The ventral arch (Arcus ventralis) is thicker, narrower, and less curved than the dorsal. On its lower surface is the ventral tubercle (Tuberculum ventrale), into which the terminal tendon of the longus colli muscle is inserted. The upper face has posteriorly a transversely concave articular surface (Fovea dentis), on which the dens or odontoid process of the axis rests. In front of this is a transverse rough excavation for the attachment of the odontoid ligament.

The wings (Alæ) are modified transverse processes. They are extensive curved plates which project outward, downward, and backward from the lateral masses. The dorsal surface is concave. Between the ventral aspect of the wing and the lateral mass is a cavity, the fossa atlantis; in this there is a foramen which opens into the vertebral canal. The border is thick and rough. Two foramina perforate each wing. The anterior one, the foramen alare, is connected with the intervertebral foramen by a short groove. The posterior one is the foramen transversarium.

Development.—The atlas ossifies from three or four centers, one or two for the ventral arch, and one on either side for each lateral mass, wing, and half of the dorsal arch. At birth the bone consists of three pieces—the ventral arch and two lateral parts, which are separated by a layer of cartilage in the dorsal median line. These parts are usually fused at about six months.

The Axis

The axis (Epistropheus) is the longest of the vertebræ, and is characterized by the presence of the odontoid process, which projects from the anterior part of the body.

The body has a median ventral crest which terminates in a tubercle behind. The anterior extremity presents centrally the odontoid process (Dens); this has a convex articular surface ventrally for articulation with the ventral arch of the atlas, and two rough depressions for the attachment of the odontoid ligament dorsally. Flanking this on either side are the modified anterior articular processes, which have saddle-shaped articular surfaces confluent below with that of the dens. The posterior extremity has the usual cavity.

The arch presents in the young subject a notch on each side of its anterior border; this is converted into a foramen by a ligament which usually ossifies later. The posterior border has the usual notches.

The posterior articular processes are typical.

The transverse processes are small, single, and project backward. The foramen transversarium is small.

The spinous process is very large and strong. Its free border is rough, thickens posteriorly, and is continued to the articular processes by two ridges. The lateral surfaces are concave and rough for muscular attachment.

Development.—The axis has six or seven centers of ossification. In addition to the usual five, one or two appear for the dens, which is regarded as the displaced body of the atlas. A nucleus behind the dens, which remains distinct to three or four years of age, is considered by Lesbre to be the head of the axis.