The first cervical vertebra is called ______.

Key Points

• The first cervical vertebra is the atlas.

Atlas:

• The vertebrae extend from the base of the skull and constitute the main framework of the trunk.
• Each vertebra has a central hollow portion (neural canal) through which the spinal cord passes.
• It articulates with the occipital condyles.
• 

Important Points

Axis:

• The second cervical vertebra (C2) of the spine, the axis is directly beneath the atlas and serves as the head's support.
• It is also known as the Epistropheus.

Spinal cord:

• A component of the central nervous system is the spinal cord.
• It is a long, pipe-like structure that extends from the medulla oblongata, a section of the brain made up of a group of nerve fibers.
•  It runs through the spine's vertebral column.

Ribs:

• There are 12 pairs of ribs.
• Each rib is a thin flat bone connected dorsally to the vertebral column and ventrally to the sternum.
• It has two articulation surfaces on its dorsal end and is hence called bicephalic.