Each half of the neural arch consists of a ventral portion, the pedicel, which lies more or less vertically and is united ventrally to the inferior arch, and of a dorsal portion, the lamina, which lies more or less horizontally and meets its fellow in the middle line in front, partially roofing over the neural canal. Each pedicel bears a facet on its anterior surface, which, with a corresponding one on the inferior arch, articulates with the occipital condyle of the skull. Three similar facets occur also on the posterior surface of the pedicel and inferior arch, and articulate with the odontoid process. The laminae meet one another in front, but do not fuse, while behind they are separated by a wide triangular space. They bear a pair of small downwardly-directed facets, the postzygapophyses, for articulation with the prezygapophyses of the second vertebra.
The inferior arch is a short irregular bone bearing two converging facets for articulation with the occipital condyle and odontoid process respectively.
The centrum or odontoid process has a convex anterior surface for articulation with the neural and inferior arches, and a concave posterior surface by which it is united with the centrum of the second or axis vertebra. It bears posteriorly a small epiphysis which is really a detached portion of the inferior arch.
The second or axis and following five cervical vertebrae, though showing distinct differences, resemble one another considerably, each having a fairly elongated centrum with a keel-like hypapophysis, each having also a neural arch with prominent articulating surfaces, the anterior of which, or prezygapophyses, look upwards and inwards, while the posterior ones, the postzygapophyses, look downwards and outwards. They however, as was previously mentioned, differ very remarkably in the character of the articulating surfaces of the centra. Thus the second and third vertebrae are convex in front and concave behind, the fourth is biconvex, the fifth is concave in front and convex behind. The sixth is concave in front and attached to the seventh by a flat surface behind, the seventh has a flat anterior face and two slightly convex facets behind. The vertebrae all have short blunt transverse processes and the second has a prominent neural spine.
The eighth cervical vertebra is curiously modified, the centrum is very short, has a rather prominent hypapophysis, and is convex behind, while in front it articulates with the preceding centrum by two concave surfaces. The neural arch is deeply notched in front and bears two upwardly-directed prezygapophyses, while behind it is very massive and is drawn out far beyond the centrum, bearing a pair of flat postzygapophyses. The top of the neural arch almost or quite meets a blunt outgrowth from the nuchal plate.
The Thoracic vertebrae.
These are ten in number and are all firmly united with the ribs and elements forming the carapace.
The first thoracic vertebra differs from the others, the centrum is short and has a concave anterior surface articulating with the centrum of the last cervical vertebra, and a pair of prezygapophyses borne on long outgrowths. The neural spine arises only from the anterior half of the centrum, and is not fused to the carapace. Arising laterally from the anterior part of the centrum are a small pair of ribs each of which is connected with a process arising from the rib of the succeeding vertebra.
The next seven thoracic vertebrae are all very similar, each has a long cylindrical centrum, expanded at the ends, and firmly united to the preceding and succeeding vertebrae. The neural arches are flattened and expanded dorsally, and are united to one another and to the overlying neural plates; each arises only from the anterior half of its respective centrum, and overlaps the centrum of the vertebra in front of it. Between the base of the neural arch and its successor is a small foramen for the exit of the spinal nerve. There are no transverse processes or zygapophyses.
To each thoracic vertebra from the second to ninth inclusive, there corresponds a pair of ribs (fig. 36, 6) of a rather special character. Each is suturally united with the anterior half of the edge of its own vertebra, and overlaps on to the posterior half of the edge of the next preceding vertebra. The ribs are much flattened, and each is fused with the corresponding costal plate, beyond which it projects to fit into a pit in one of the marginal plates.