The second cervical vertebra is also known as the axis. It is characterized by the odontoid peg, or dens, which extends superiorly from the body of the axis.
Embryolgically each vertebra is formed from a centrum which contributes to the body and the neural arch which contributes to the lateral components. The centrum of C1 (the atlas) fuses with the centrum of C2 to form the odontoid peg.
The atlanto-axial joint is supported by a number of different ligaments:
Jefferson fracture is a fracture of C1
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