Mm. Intertransversarii eervicis of the ox (Bos taurus L.)

The cervical intertransverse muscles and their nerve supply are described and illustrated in the ox. The literature is reviewed and the principles of subdividing these muscles are discussed. They are divided into dorsal and ventral intertransversarii according to their innervation. The Mm. intertransversarii dorsales cervicis arise from the articular processes of C7-C3, follow a craniolateral course and insert by means of 1–4 fascicles on the transverse processes of preceding vertebrate including the atlas. They are innervated by the dorsal rami of cervical spinal nerves. The Mm. intertransversarii ventrales cervicis are grouped into medial and lateral parts. The medial part consists of short fascicles which extend between contiguous transverse processes from C7-C2. They are pierced by the emerging ventral branches of the spinal nerves and are innervated by them. The lateral part consists of longer fascicles which follow a dorsocranial course and attach to the ventral tubercles of preceding vertebrae as well as to the wing of the atlas. All ventral intertransverse muscles are innervated by the ventral rami of cervical spinal nerves.