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. XIV.

Of the Vertebrae of the Loins.

THE Bones belonging to the Abdomen are these; five Vert••brae of the Loins, five or six of Os sacrum, Os cocoygis and Os ischii.

The five Vertebrae of the Loins are larger than those of the Breast, and the lowest of them are biggest. They are jointed with the last Vertebra of the Back and the first of Os sacrum, and with one another, by an intervening clammy Carti∣lage, but more loosly than those of the Back, because the Body bends more upon them. They have each one large hole, to give way to the Spi∣nalis medulla; and two small, by which Nerves pass out to the adjacent parts, and Veins and Ar∣teries come in. As for their Processes, their po∣steriour (or Spines) are shorter and more blunt, but broader and thicker than those of the Vertebrae of the Thorax, and turn something upwards; but their lateral are longer. They also differ in their inarticulation, one with another; for whereas in those of the Thorax the upper Processes were knobby, and the lower hollow, to receive them; in these the contrary is seen; for the upper Pro∣cesses are hollow, and the lower knobby. Only the last or twelfth Vertebra of the Thorax has both its ascending and descending oblique Processes hollowed to receive the heads or knobs of the Processes of the last but one of the Thorax, and the first of the Loins.