The cervical spine consists of the seven cervical vertebrae of the neck. Except for the first two, most of the vertebra are similar to other vertebra in the spine. The first cervical vertebra (C-1) is called the atlas. The atlas attaches to the occipital bone at the base of the skull through the atlanto-occipital joint. The second cervical vertebra (C-2) is called the axis. The axis attaches to the atlas forming the atlanto-axial joint. These two joints are special because they contribute to a great percentage of the overall movement of the head. The atlanto-occipital joint contributes to 50% of all neck flexion and extension and the atlanto-axial joint contributes to 50% of all cervical rotation.
An important anatomical landmark is the spinous process on C-7, which can be easily seen and felt at the base of the neck
