What is another name for the first cervical vertebra?

The first cervical vertebra is commonly referred to as the Atlas. This nomenclature is derived from Greek mythology, where Atlas was a Titan condemned to hold up the heavens. In anatomical terms, the Atlas supports the globe of the head, allowing for the nodding motion of the skull. It sits directly beneath the skull and facilitates the connection between the skull and the vertebral column, playing a critical role in the range of motion for head and neck movements. This vertebra is unique in its ring-like structure, lacking a vertebral body, which distinguishes it from other vertebrae in the cervical region. The term "Axis," which refers to the second cervical vertebra, is also significant but pertains to a different structure that allows for rotational movement of the head. The nickname "Cervical One" is not commonly used in anatomical terminology, and "Occipital" pertains to the bone at the base of the skull rather than a cervical vertebra. Hence, the appropriate term for the first cervical vertebra is indeed the Atlas.