How do the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2) differ from other cervical vertebrae? How does this difference enable them to perform their functions?

Question

Accepted Answer

Hey, everyone. Let's take a look at this question together which of the following statements about the Atlas in the first cervical vertebrae of the vertebral column is incorrect. Is it answer choice? A? It is located at the top of the vertebral column. Answer choice B, it articulates with the skull at the Atlanto occipital joint. Answer choice C it is made up of a spinous process or answer choice D it articulates with the second cervical vertebrae. Let's work this problem out together to try to figure out which of the following answer choices about the Atlas in the first cervical vertebrae of the vertebral column is incorrect. So in order to solve this question, we have to recall the defining characteristics about the Atlas in the first cervical vertebrae of the vertebral column to determine if the answer choice contains a true statement or a false statement starting off with answer choice. A which says that it is located at the top of the vertebral column. Well, we can recall that since we are talking about the Atlas, which is C one that it is located at the top of the vertebral column. So answer choice A is a true statement since the Atlas in the first cervical vertebrae of the vertebral column, which is C one is that first cervical vertebrae. So answer choice A is a true statement and cannot be the correct answer. Next, we have answer choice B which says that it articulates with the skull at the Atlanto occipital joint, which we know that the Atlanto occipital joint is that joint between C zero and C one. So answer choice B is also a true statement since the Atlanto occipital joint is the joint between C zero and C one and is where the Atlas articulates with the skull. So answer choice B cannot be the correct answer. Next, we have answer choice C which says that it is made up of a spinous process. Well, we know that answer choice C is a false statement since one of the key defining characteristics of the Atlas in the first cervical vertebrae when compared to the rest of the cervical vertebrae is that it lacks a spinous process. So answer choice C contains a statement that is incorrect. So answer choice C is the correct answer. And lastly, we note that answer choice D is not the correct answer. Since answer choice D also contains a true statement. Since answer choice D says that it articulates with the second cervical vertebrae which that second cervical vertebrae is found below C one and is called C two. So answer choice D is incorrect and answer choice. C is the only correct answer choice since it contains an incorrect statement about the Atlas in the first cervical vertebrae of the vertebral column. I hope you found this video to be helpful. Thank you and goodbye.

How do the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2) differ from other cervical vertebrae? How does this difference enable them to perform their functions?

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

Key Concepts

Atlas (C1) and Axis (C2)

Vertebral Structure and Function

Range of Motion