Question

Distinguish between axis and atlas?

Answer 1

Both atlas and axis are the cervical bones. A bone is a rigid organ which constitutes the part of the skeleton in the animals. Bones protect the various organs of the body from any kind of injury. Bones provide structure and support to the body.

Complete answer:

S.No.	Atlas	Axis
1	Atlas is the first cervical (neck) vertebra which is present just under the head.	The axis is the second cervical (neck) vertebra.
2	The atlas bone supports the skull.	The axis bone forms the pivot upon the atlas.
3	Atlas bone lacks a spinous process.	The axis bone contains a large, deeply channeled, very strong spinous process.
4	This bone holds the skull upright and does not allow the movement of the skull.	The axis bone allows the movement of the head, it allows the head to turn side by side.
5	The atlas bone lacks superior articular disks as well as the inferior articular disks.	The axis bone contains both superior and inferior articular disks.

Note: The joint between the atlas(first cervical vertebra) and axis (second cervical vertebra) is a type of pivot joint . This joint allows the head to turn from side to side. The joint between the atlas and axis is also called the atloaxoid joint. The atlas and axis are neurologically very important because the brainstem extends down to the axis.