What is the second cervical vertebra called

The second cervical vertebra is the axis (Fig. 3). Its vertebral body is formed by fusion with the vertebral body of the atlas to form the odontoid process (or dens), which is completely separate from the atlas.

What is another name for cervical vertebrae 2?

More of the head’s rotational range of motion comes from C1-C2 than any other cervical joint. The C1 and C2 vertebrae are the first two vertebrae of the cervical spine. They are also called the atlas and axis vertebrae.

What are the first and second cervical vertebrae called?

Overview. The cervical spine is made up of 7 vertebrae. The first 2, C1 and C2, are highly specialized and are given unique names: atlas and axis, respectively. C3-C7 are more classic vertebrae, having a body, pedicles, laminae, spinous processes, and facet joints.

What are the names of the 7 cervical vertebrae?

It consists of 7 bones, from top to bottom, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, and C7. In tetrapods, cervical vertebrae (singular: vertebra) are the vertebrae of the neck, immediately below the skull. Truncal vertebrae (divided into thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in mammals) lie caudal (toward the tail) of cervical vertebrae.

What is the name of the second cervical vertebra quizlet?

Terms in this set (5) What is the name of the second cervical vertebra? C2 is known as the axis. It has a bony projection called the odontoid process that articulates with C1.

Why is C2 atypical?

C1 and C2 are considered atypical vertebrae because they have some distinguishing features compared to the rest of the cervical spine. C1 Vertebra (the atlas). The top vertebra, called the atlas, is the only cervical vertebra without a vertebral body. Instead, it is shaped more like a ring.

What is the name and function of the second cervical vertebra?

Axis (C2) The second cervical vertebra, or axis, supports the dens, or odontoid process, which projects rostrally from the body, serving as a pivotal restraint against horizontal displacement of the atlas.

What is special about the first cervical vertebra called the atlas and the second vertebra called the axis?

The atlas is the first cervical (neck) vertebra which is just under the head; it is named for Atlas, the Greek god who supported the world on his shoulders. The axis is the second cervical vertebra; it has what is called the odontoid process about which the atlas rotates. … It allows the head turn from side to side.

Where is C4 C5 c6 C7?

The C3,C4, and C5 vertebrae are part of the cervical spinal column. There are seven vertebral levels in total in this region, known as C1-C7. These vertebrae protect the spinal cord running through the cervical region of the spine, as well as provide support for the neck and head.

What is the function of atlas?

The atlas and axis are specialized to allow a greater range of motion than normal vertebrae. They are responsible for the nodding and rotation movements of the head. The atlanto-occipital joint allows the head to nod up and down on the vertebral column.

Article first time published on

What is spiral cord?

A column of nerve tissue that runs from the base of the skull down the center of the back. It is covered by three thin layers of protective tissue called membranes. The spinal cord and membranes are surrounded by the vertebrae (back bones).

What is special about the first cervical vertebra called the atlas and the second cervical vertebra called the axis quizlet?

FIRST CERVICAL VERTEBRA CALLED THE ATLAS BECAUSE IT HOLDS UP THE HEAD. * ATLAS HAS NO BODY AND NO SPINOUS PROCESS, BUT HAS LARGE SUPERIOR FACETS, WHICH ARTICULATES WITH THE OCCIPITAL CONDYLES ON THE BASE OF THE SKULL. * THIS JOINT ALLOWS THE HEAD TO MOVE IN A ”YES” OR TO TILT FROM SIDE TO SIDE.

What is the name of the first cervical vertebra view available for occipital condyles superior articular process atlas axis?

Atlas (C1) The first cervical vertebra is a bony ring with a thin anterior arch and posterior laminae, which are joined by lateral masses having articular facets that articulate with the occipital condyles superiorly and the lateral masses of C2 inferiorly.

What is another name for the vertebral ribs?

The phrase floating rib or vertebral rib (Latin: costae fluctuantes) refers to the two lowermost, the eleventh and twelfth rib pairs; so-called because they are attached only to the vertebrae–and not to the sternum or cartilage of the sternum.

What is atypical about second cervical vertebrae?

Of the cervical vertebrae, the atlas (C1), axis (C2) and vertebra prominens (C7) are considered atypical cervical vertebrae. The atlas (C1) lacks a body or spinous process. It has anterior and posterior arches with lateral masses.

What does the superior articular facet of C2 articulate with?

Superior articular facet (Facies articularis superior) is an oval-shaped, concave structure on the superior aspect of the lateral mass. It articulates with an occipital condyle on the underside skull.

Why is there no disc between C1 and C2?

The intervertebral discs make up one fourth of the spinal column’s length. There are no discs between the Atlas (C1), Axis (C2), and Coccyx. Discs are not vascular and therefore depend on the end plates to diffuse needed nutrients.

What does the C1 lack?

The atlas (C1) lacks a body or spinous process. It has anterior and posterior arches with lateral masses. Its superior articular surfaces articulate with the occiput at the atlanto-occipital joint. Its inferior articular surfaces articulate with the axis at the atlanto-axial joint.

How many atypical vertebrae does the cervical spine have and what are they called?

Three cervical vertebrae are considered atypical compared to the other cervical vertebrae: C1. C2. C7.

Can neck problems affect your legs?

Squeezing the nerves and cord in the cervical spine can change how the spinal cord functions and cause pain, stiffness, numbness, or weakness in the neck, arms, and legs. It can also affect your control of your bowels and bladder.

What does C5-C6/C7 control?

Roots C5, C6, and C7 produce the long thoracic nerve, responsible for controlling the serratus anterior.

What does C4 C5-C6 control?

C4 (along with C3 and C5) also helps power the diaphragm—the sheet of muscle that stretches to the bottom of the rib cage for breathing. … C6 helps control the wrist extensors (muscles that control wrist extension) and also provides some innervation to the biceps.

What is the other name for the first cervical vertebra?

THE ATLAS. The first cervical vertebra, or atlas, articulates with the occiput rostrally and the axis caudally.

What do you call the first cervical vertebra?

Atlas The atlas is the first cervical vertebra and articulates with the occiput of the head and the axis (C2).

What is the name of the first cervical vertebra why quizlet?

Terms in this set (21) In anatomy, the atlas (C1) is the most superior (first) cervical vertebra of the spine. It is named for the Atlas of Greek mythology, because it supports the globe of the head. The atlas is the topmost vertebra and with the axis forms the joint connecting the skull and spine.

What joint allows you to shake your head no?

When you nod your head as if to say “yes,” that is neck flexion. The atlas and axis form the atlanto-axial joint, which allows head rotation. If you shake your head as if to say “no,” that is head rotation. The atlanto-axial joint is a compound synovial joint.

What muscles are attached to atlas?

Several muscles in the neck pivot the skull at the atlanto-occipital joint to make the head flex and extend in a nodding motion. Of these muscles, the longus colli muscle inserts at the anterior tubercle of the atlas and the rectus capitis posterior muscle arises from the posterior tubercle.

What is the meaning of atlas vertebra?

(ăt′ləs) pl. at·lases. Anatomy The top or first cervical vertebra of the neck, which supports the skull.

What is the cauda?

Cauda is Latin for tail, and equina is Latin for horse (ie, the “horse’s tail”). The CE provides sensory innervation to the saddle area, motor innervation to the sphincters, and parasympathetic innervation to the bladder and lower bowel (ie, from the left splenic flexure to the rectum).

Why does L2 end spinal cord?

It is these spinal nerve roots that compose the cauda equina beyond L1/L2. The fact that the spinal cord ends at L1/L2 is very useful in clinical practice in that it allows for spinal taps to be performed to sample CSF without the risk of puncturing the spinal cord.