Most Things Biology

Time To Read

2–3 minutes

Date Last Modified

February 6, 2026

A diagram of the human spinal column. The spine is shown from the back, consisting of individual vertebrae connected from the neck down to the pelvis. Brackets and labels identify the main sections: the cervical vertebrae at the top, followed by the longer section of thoracic vertebrae, and the lumbar vertebrae at the bottom above the pelvis — Diagram of the human spinal column, labeled with cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae

Odontoid process (axisSecond cervical vertebra; has the odontoid process (dens) for pivoting head (“no” motion).)

The vertebral column can be intimidating. However, there are similarities in all the vertebrae. There are also similarities among those in specific locations. Starting at the top, or superiorly, are the 7 cervical vertebraeSmallest vertebrae; have transverse foramina for vertebral arteries; often bifid spinous processes. associated with your neckNarrow region just below the head; common fracture site.. We number the vertebrae from the top to the bottom. Therefore, the first vertebra, on which the occipital condylesSmooth, oval projections beside the foramen magnum; articulate with the atlas vertebra. of the occipitalPosterior and base of the skull; curves under to form the back of the head. bone sit, is C1. The thoracic spineProminent ridge on the posterior scapula dividing it into supraspinous and infraspinous fossae. has 12 vertebrae also with T1 superiorAbove or toward the upper part of the body. to T12. Lumbar vertebrae are the last 5 vertebrae that are not fused. These are separate bones, whereas the sacrumTriangular bone formed by fusion of five vertebrae; connects spine to pelvis. and coccyxTailbone; small, fused vertebrae at the end of the sacrum. (discussed elsewhere) are fused bones.

Anatomical illustration of the atlas vertebra (C1) shown in relation to the skull and other cervical vertebrae. The skull appears semi-transparent, with the atlas highlighted in natural bone color, sitting atop the cervical spine. This visual emphasizes the atlas's position as the first vertebra, directly connecting the spine to the skull. — Atlas vertebra highlighting its location in the human neck, attached to skull.

A back view of the upper skeletal structure highlighting the axis vertebra. The skull and ribcage are semi-transparent, to show how the axis vertebra connects to the head. — Axis vertebra detail within transparent skull and skeleton.

Atlas was the Titan who holds the weight of the world on his shoulders. The top most vertebra, or C1, is called the atlasFirst cervical vertebra; ring-shaped, no body; supports the skull at the occipital condyles (“yes. It sits on the axis. Nod your headRounded proximal end that fits into the acetabulum of the hip bone. yes. Do it. As you do, your skull is rocking back and forth on the atlas here. There are there these nubs on the occipital bone of the skull that rock on this surface here. Now, shake your head no. Not so vigorously. The atlas is rotating around the axis. There is this post on the axis called the odontoid processPeg-like projection on the axis that fits into the atlas for rotation.. The axis is C2. Both of these cervical vertebrae are very specific. They only generally reflect the shape of the other cervical vertebrae.

Let’s take a look at the cervical vertebrae. The big hole in the center is called the vertebral foramenCentral hole in each vertebra where the spinal cord passes through.. All vertebrae have this hole that the nervous tissue of the spinal cordThe central nervous system structure that relays signals between the brain and body. threads through. cervical vertebrae have a triangular shaped vertebral foramen, but so does lumbar vertebraeLargest and thickest vertebrae; short, blunt spinous processes for weight-bearing stability.. The atlas and the axis have a vertebral foramen. It is a flattened triangle, whereas these other cervical vertebrae have a pretty upright triangle.

Top-down 3D rendering of a cervical vertebra. The bone is beige against a white background. The body of the vertebra is squared off, while the spinous processes appear as two prongs projecting downward. — Cervical vertebra, viewed from above.

The transverse foramenOpenings in cervical vertebrae for vertebral arteries; unique to cervical region. of cervical vertebrae are the hole that are off to the side. In this picture of a generic cervical vertebra, the transverse foramen look like ears.

The spike pointing posteriorly is the spinous processPosterior projection from vertebral arch; palpable bumps down the back.. Like the vertebral foramen, every vertebra has this. This will always jut out to the posterior or back. Ok, so, take a moment to orient your self. The back of the vertebra is at the bottom of the picture. The front, or anteriorThe front of the body or toward the front when standing in the anatomical position., of the vertebra is at the top of the picture.

On the anterior side of the bone is the body. When we stack vertebrae on top of each other, we have fibrocartilageA tough, shock-absorbing cartilage found in intervertebral discs and menisci. discs between them. Each disc is situated on the body of each vertebra. This makes me think of my mom with her “good” china. She would put paper plates between the good plates so they wouldn’t scratch each other.

One last feature on cervical vertebra are the superior articular facets. There are two, left and right. They are cup-shaped areas where the vertebra articulates (meets, joins, fits) with the vertebra above it. On this generic cervical vertebra, the superior articular facets are posterior to the transverse foramen.

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