Atlas and Axis
Atlas
(G. Atlas, in Greek mythology a Titan who supported the heavens on his shoulders)
Anterior arch
Anterior tubercle
attachments - anterior longitudinal ligament and longus coli muscles
Lateral masses
Superior facet
function - articulates with occipital condyles
Inferior facet
function - articulates with axis
Groove for the vertebral artery
function - houses the vertebral artery and vein and suboccipital nerve
Posterior tubercle
attachments - ligamentum nuchae and rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
attachments - levator scapulae, obliquus capitis inferior and obliquus capitis superior muscles
function - transmits the vertebral artery and vein
Axis
(L. axle)
Body
Superior articular facet
function - articulates with the atlas
Dens
(L. tooth)
Impressions for the alar ligament
attachments - alar ligament
Groove for the transverse ligament
function - houses the transverse ligament (cruciate)
Pedicle
Vertebral notch
function - transmits C3 spinal nerve
Transverse process
attachments - levator scapulae and middle scalene muscles
Transverse foramen
function - transmits the vertebral artery and vein
Lamina
Spinous process
attachments - semispinalis cervicis, rectus capitis posterior major and inferior oblique muscles