Shiw me tge images of atlas and axis of cervical vertebrae

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Here are all the images of the Atlas (C1) and Axis (C2) cervical vertebrae from authoritative anatomy textbooks:

Atlas (C1) and Axis (C2) - Cervical Vertebrae

Fig. 1 - Complete Overview: Atlas, Axis, and Atlanto-occipital Joint

(Gray's Anatomy for Students, Fig. 8.8)

Atlas and axis — all views including superior, anterolateral, and atlanto-occipital joint with ligaments

(A) Typical cervical vertebra | (B) Atlas (CI) - superior view | (C) Axis (CII) - superior view | (D) Atlas and axis together - anterolateral view | (E) Atlanto-occipital joint - posterior view showing ligaments

Fig. 2 - Atlas (C1) - Superior View (Bone specimen)

(THIEME Atlas of Anatomy)

Atlas C1 superior view showing lateral masses, anterior arch, posterior arch, facet for dens, and groove for vertebral artery

Key features visible: lateral masses, anterior arch, posterior arch, posterior tubercle, superior articular facets, facet for dens, groove for vertebral artery, transverse foramen

Fig. 3 - Atlas (C1) - Inferior/Anterior View (Bone specimen)

(THIEME Atlas of Anatomy)

Atlas C1 inferior/anterior view showing anterior arch, anterior tubercle, inferior articular facets, transverse process, and transverse foramen

Fig. 4 - Axis (C2) - Superior View (Bone specimen)

(THIEME Atlas of Anatomy)

Axis C2 superior view showing dens, superior articular facets, inferior articular process, vertebral arch, spinous process, transverse foramen

Key feature: the dens (odontoid process) projecting superiorly - this is the defining feature of the axis, formed by the fused body of C1

Fig. 5 - Axis (C2) - Anterior/Superior View (Bone specimen)

(THIEME Atlas of Anatomy)

Axis C2 anterior view showing dens, anterior articular facet, superior articular facets, body, inferior articular facet, transverse process

Fig. 6 - Atlas and Axis with Ligaments

(Gray's Anatomy for Students, Fig. 2.20B)

Atlas CI and Axis CII with associated ligaments including alar ligaments, transverse ligament, tectorial membrane, and base of skull

Shows: atlas superior view, axis superior and posterior views, and the posterosuperior view with the cruciform ligament complex and alar ligaments

Fig. 7 - Radiograph: Open-mouth (Odontoid peg) view

(Gray's Anatomy for Students, Fig. 2.21)

Radiograph open-mouth AP view showing atlas C1 and axis C2 with dens visible centrally

This is the classic open-mouth AP X-ray used clinically to visualize the dens (odontoid peg) and the lateral masses of C1 relative to C2.

Key Anatomical Points

Atlas (C1):

Has NO vertebral body (fused onto C2 during development to become the dens)
Ring-shaped with anterior and posterior arches
Two lateral masses with superior concave articular facets (for occipital condyles) and inferior flat facets (for C2)
Facet for dens on the posterior surface of the anterior arch
Transverse ligament of atlas holds the dens in place
Allows nodding (flexion/extension) of the head at the atlanto-occipital joint

Axis (C2):

Defined by the prominent dens (odontoid process) projecting superiorly
The dens acts as a pivot allowing the atlas + head to rotate side to side
Has a true vertebral body, vertebral arch, spinous process (bifid)
Alar ligaments attach from the dens to the occipital condyles, limiting excessive rotation

Sources: Gray's Anatomy for Students (9780323934237); THIEME Atlas of General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System (9781626237186)

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