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Bassett Collection of Stereoscopic Images of Human Anatomy

Posterior cervical region and suboccipital muscles dissected from behind

Intervertebral joints opened; ligamenta flava

Image #217-1

KEYWORDS: Cervical region, Muscles and tendons, Vertebral column.

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Posterior cervical region and suboccipital muscles dissected from behind
Intervertebral joints opened; ligamenta flava
The arches of the third, fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae have been divided. The cavities of the superior and inferior (12) intervertebral joints of the third cervical vertebra have been opened.
  1. Superior oblique capitis muscle (cut across)
  2. Major posterior rectus capitis muscle (cut across)
  3. Condylar emissary vein
  4. Atlanto-occipital joint capsule
  5. Vertebral artery and vein
  6. Posterior arch of atlas
  7. Transverse process of of atlas
  8. Styloid process
  9. Ventral branch of cervical nerve II (note relation to vertebral artery)
  10. Greater occipital nerve
  11. Arch of axis
  12. Articular cavity
  13. Joint capsule
  14. Middle scalene muscle
  15. Minor posterior rectus capitis muscle (cut across)
  16. Border of foramen magnum
  17. Dura mater
  18. Upper pointer: Posterior tubercle of atlas Lower pointer: Ligamentum flavum
  19. Spinous process axis
  20. Cut margins of arch of vertebra C. III (resected)
  21. Upper pointer: Ligamentum flavum Lower pointer: Interspinalis cervicis muscle
  22. Dura mater spinalis (epidural space absent at this level)