The anatomy of humane bodies epitomized wherein all parts of man's body, with their actions and uses, are succinctly described, according to the newest doctrine of the most accurate and learned modern anatomists / by a Fellow of the College of Physicians, London.

CHAP. X.

Of the Bones of the Neck.

HItherto of the Bones of the Head, now fol∣low those of the Neck.

They are of two sorts, to wit, the Claviculae or Channel-bones, and the Vertebrae.

As to the Claviculae,* 1.1 some reckon them to the Thorax, others to the Shoulder; but considering their situation, they may as fitly be reckoned as pertaining to the Neck. They are called Clavi∣culae from their resembling the shape of old-fashi∣oned Keys, which were of the figure of an Ita∣lick s; such as Spigelius says he has seen belonging to old Houses at Padua. They are not so crooked in Women as in Men. Their substance is thick and spongie, but more about the heads than about the middle. In number they are two, one on each side. Near the Throat they are round; but towards the Shoulder flattish. They are join∣ed to two Bones, to wit, one end to the Shoulder-blade, and the other to the top of the Breast-bone. The use of them is to uphold the Shoulder-blades, that they should not fall upon the Breast together with the Shoulder-bone; which fal∣leth

out, when there is a fracture in them.

The Vertebrae of the Neck are in number seven.* 1.2 The Bones of these are less, but harder than those of the other, because they are more moved. These have first a large hollowness to give way to the Spinalis medulla to descend by: then two holes in their transverse Processes, one in each side, through which Veins and Arteries pass to the Head. Their Bodies have Processes oblique, transverse and posteriour; which last are forked, except in the first and last Vertebrae.

The first Vertebra is called Atlas, because the Head stands upon it, like a little World. It hath no Spine behind (only a little blunt knob) lest the two small Muscles of the Head springing from the second Vertebra should be hurt, when the Head is extended. It has two ascending and also two descending Processes, (otherwise called ob∣lique) and both of them a little hollowed; the upper receiving the tubercles of the Occiput, and the lower the ascending. Processes of the second Vertebra. Upon these the Head is moved for∣wards and backwards. The substance of this Ver∣tebra is harder, solider, but thinner than that of the rest, because it is the least, and yet its cavity is biggest. Within on the foreside of its great Foramen, it has a semicircular Sinus lined with a Cartilage, whereby it receiveth the tooth-like Process of the second Vertebra.

The second is called Vertebra dentata, because out of its upper side between its two ascending Processes, there springs a round, longish and hard Process, in shape like a Tooth, which being invested with a Cartilage is jointed into the fore∣said Sinus•• of the first Vertebra, upon which as

upon an Axis the Head turns round. And when a luxation happens here▪ the Neck is said to be broken. This tooth-like Process in that part which enters not into the said Sinus, is environed with a Ligament, by which it is knit to the Occi∣put. The hinder Processes of this Vertebra are cleft into two, as those of the four following are, for the better connexion of the Muscles and Liga∣ments. Its transverse Processes are less than theirs, and have also smaller holes.

The four that lie under these, in all things are like them, save that their lateral Processes are larger, and divided into two as well as the hinder. The seventh is the largest of all. It is liker to the Vertebrae of the Thorax than of the Neck; for neither are its transverse Processes like the fore∣going, nor is its hinder one forked, but both are like those of the Thorax, to be described in the next Chapter.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Claviculae.
• * 1.2

  Vertebrae seven.