- The atlas (C1) is the most superior cervical vertebra of the spine.
- The atlas articulates with:
- the occiput superiorly, forming the atlanto-occipital joint.
- the axis (C2) inferiorly, forming the atlanto-axial joint.
NOTES:
- The atlas is ring-shaped. It has no body. What would have been the body fused instead to the axis (C2), forming the odontoid process (dens) of the axis.
- The atlas is so-named because it supports the head, as the Greek mythological figure Atlas supported the world.
- Forward-head posture is a common postural distortion pattern in which the atlas is protracted anteriorly. Forward-head posture is parter of the larger postural distortion pattern known as upper-crossed syndrome.
![Superior view of the atlas (C1).](https://learnmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/11-C1-superior-6816-modified-1024x640.jpg)
Superior view of the atlas (C1).
![Inferior view of the atlas (C1).](https://learnmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/11-C1-inferior-6823-modified-1024x604.jpg)
Inferior view of the atlas (C1).
![Posterior view of the atlas (C1).](https://learnmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/11-C1-posterior-4130-1024x366.jpg)
Posterior view of the atlas (C1).
![Anterior view of the atlas (C1).](https://learnmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/11-C1-anterior-1535-1024x350.jpg)
Anterior view of the atlas (C1).
![Right lateral view of the atlas (C1).](https://learnmuscles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/11-C1-lateral-1543-1024x567.jpg)
Right lateral view of the atlas (C1).