Atlas (anatomy)

Bone: Atlas (anatomy)
Position of the atlas (shown in red)
Latin	Atlas, vertebra cervicalis I

In anatomy, the atlas is the top cervical vertebra (neck bones) of the spine. In anatomy, the atlas is written (C1) for short.

It is named for the Atlas of mythology, because it supports the head in the same way as Atlas held the world on his shoulders.

The atlas connects to a vertebra called the axis. Together they form the joint connecting the skull to the rest of the spine. The atlas and axis are different in shape from all the other vertebrae. They have more movement. They allow the head to nod and to rotate (turn).

Atlas (anatomy) Media

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  Structure of the atlas, the first cervical vertebra

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  Median sagittal section through the occipital bone and first three cervical vertebræ, showing ligamentous attachments

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  The atlas ossifies from three centers.

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  Posterior arch defect on axial CT

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  Shape and position of atlas (shown in red), from above. The skull is shown in semi-transparent.

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  Human atlas bone

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  Posterior atlantoöccipital membrane and atlantoaxial ligament (atlas visible at center)

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  Atlasvertebrae

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  Atlante, prima vertebra cervicale, vista superiore