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Spinal bones and ligaments. Historical anatomical artwork of thoracic (upper) spinal bones (yellow, vertebrae) and ligaments (white). Ligaments are bands of fibrous tissue that hold bones together at their joints. Four paired artworks: from left- right, and then top-bottom, are: front and rear views of the spine; dissected rear and front views inside the vertebral canal (contains spinal cord, not seen); side views (dissected at right) of ribs joining the rear of the spine; front and rear views of ribs joining the sternum (breast bone). Intervertebral discs (down centre): front, above, below. Artwork from The Bones and Ligaments of the Human Body (Ed. Jones Quain, London, 1842). (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/SHEILA TERRY) === ===