Other Features
The dens, or odontoid process, exhibits a slight constriction or neck where it joins the body.
The pedicles are broad and strong, especially in front, where they coalesce with the sides of the body and the root of the odontoid process. They are covered above by the superior articular surfaces.
The laminae are thick and strong, and the vertebral foramen large, but smaller than that of the atlas.
The transverse processes are very small, and each ends in a single tubercle; each is perforated by the transverse foramen, which is directed obliquely upward and laterally.
The superior articular surfaces are round, slightly convex, directed upward and laterally, and are supported on the body, pedicles, and transverse processes.
The inferior articular surfaces have the same direction as those of the other cervical vertebrae.
The superior vertebral notches are very shallow, and lie behind the articular processes; the inferior lie in front of the articular processes, as in the other cervical vertebrae.
The spinous process is large, very strong, deeply channelled on its under surface, and presents a bifid, tuberculated extremity.
Read more about this topic: Axis (anatomy)
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