The artistic anatomy of the horse / by B. Waterhouse Hawkins, with twenty-four illustrations drawn on wood by the author.

  • Hawkins, B. Waterhouse (Benjamin Waterhouse), 1807-1894.
Date:
1865
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The artistic anatomy of the horse / by B. Waterhouse Hawkins, with twenty-four illustrations drawn on wood by the author. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    different parts of the vertebral column. It will be unneces- sary, however, to describe them very minutely, as, except in the case of those of the bach, their shape does not conspicuously affect that of the animal. The most pro- minent feature in each dorsal vertebra is the strong spinous process or projection on its upper surface. These processes are largely developed on the anterior portion of the dorsal series, and produce the elevation or pro- minence above the shoulder, commonly called the withers. They are of considerable importance to all long-necked quadrupeds, from their affording a large surface for the attachment of the great ligament which supports the head and neck. All together they form the ridge of the back. On each side of the dorsal vertebrae transverse processes are situated, articulating with the ribs; and other smaller oblique projections serving to unite and fit one vertebra to that adjoining. The spinal column has considerable flexibility, as well as very great strength; these essential qualities being due to pads of cartilage interposed between the several bones, and firmly united to them. Besides these there are ligaments run- ning along the broad under surface of the vertebrae; others again between the transverse processes, and similar strengthening ties uniting the upright pro- jections or spinous processes, the whole mass for- ming a marvel of strength, lightness and flexibility. The ribs (PI. II, 7), eighteen in number, are jointed to the transverse processes of the vertebrae, and curve with some variations in their outline and direction, down