The atlas is the first cervical vertebra, a ring-shaped bone with no vertebral body that supports the skull via two concave superior articular facets and allows the nodding motion of the head at the atlantooccipital joint.
The atlas is the most distinctive vertebra, lacking a body and consisting of two lateral masses connected by anterior and posterior arches. Jefferson fractures are burst fractures of the atlas from axial loading (e.g., diving into a shallow pool), producing the classic four-fragment pattern on open mouth odontoid radiograph. Transverse ligament integrity determines stability — if the combined overhang of the lateral masses exceeds 6.9 mm on open mouth view, the ligament is disrupted.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
