epistropheus

English

The position of the epistropheus.

Noun

epistropheus

1. (anatomy) The second cervical vertebra of the spine which forms the pivot upon which the first cervical vertebra (the atlas), which carries the head, rotates.
   • 1914, Human Anatomy: A Complete Systematic Treatise, page 215:

     The union of the atlas and epistropheus is described in this section because (1) there is often a direct communication between the synovial cavity of the transverse epistropic and the occipito-atlantal joints; (2) the rotatory movements of the head take place around the dens (odontoid process); and (3) important ligaments from the dens pass over the atlas to the occiput.

Synonyms

• axis
• vertebra dentata

Translations

second cervical vertebra

• Finnish: kiertonikama (fi)
• French: épistrophée (fr) f