This article discusses the anatomy of the spine in more ... These vertebrae are the smallest in the vertebral column. They are known as C1–C7. People may also refer to C1 as the atlas and ...

The first vertebra, called C1 or atlas, can be found at the base of your skull and is responsible for holding your head upright. The second vertebra, C2 (axis), allows C1 to pivot against it so ...

All seven cervical vertebrae are numbered. The C1, the first vertebra in the column (closest to the skull), is also known as the atlas. The C2, the vertebra below it, is also known as the axis.