Manual of general, descriptive, and pathological anatomy (Volume 2).

  • Meckel, J. F. (Johann Friedrich), 1781-1833.
Date:
1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Manual of general, descriptive, and pathological anatomy (Volume 2). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    ever direction the vertebral ligaments are cut, this nucleus projects from the incision, being pushed out by the elasticity of the fibrous layers. These ligaments are thicker in the centre than on the circumference, because the bodies of the vertebra are concave in this place. They are very solid, so that the bones of the vertebral column will break before they tear. From their great elasticity, the height of man varies at all periods of life, and diminishes or increases according as the vertebral ligaments have been for a longer or shorter time pressed down by the weight of the head and that of the vertebrae upon each other; hence man is taller in the morning than at night. This difference is not the same at all ages ; it is less evident in old than in young men. In general it amounts to about one inch.(l) The intervertebral ligaments have not the same thickness in all parts. It diminishes from the cervical vertebrae to the lower extremity of the vertebral column, whence there is a difference in this respect of several lines. Between the lumbar, these ligaments are only three or four lines thick. § 824. There are no intervertebral ligaments between the first and second cervical vertebrae, nor between the first and the head, between the sacrum and the coccyx, nor between the bones of the coccyx ; these bones are united in a looser manner. § 825. The intervertebral ligaments are strengthened directly by anterior and posterior vertebral ligaments (§ 822, 823), which cover most of their circumference, and pass before them in going from one vertebra to another. II. OF THE FIBROUS AND FIBROCARTILAGINOUS LIGAMENTS BETWEEN THE ARCHES AND THE PROCESSES. A. 1ELLOW LIGAMENTS. § 826. The arches of the vertebras are united by the yelloiv liga- ments (Lig- crurum vel arcuum subjiava, s.fluva), as their bodies are connected by the intervertebral ligaments. These two kinds of liga- ments may then be compared to each other. The yellow ligaments are yellowish, lustreless, and smooth ; they are formed of several perpendicular and very elastic fibres, of which the external are evidently of a tendinous nature. These external fibres, which have a more oblique direction, fill all the space between the arches of two adjacent vertebras, from the roots of the transverse processes to the angle of union, which however remains unattached. Their upper edge is always attached to the internal face, and never to the inferior edge of the arch of the vertebra above. The inferior is attached to the upper edge, and slightly to the external face of the (1) Mem. dc Paris, 1725, 1730.