Axis or second cervical vertebra (C2)

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The axis (C2) is the second cervical vertebra. It has all the typical features of a vertebra. However, the body of the axis presents a specialized projection called dens that articulates with the atlas (C1) at the atlanto-axial joint. The movements provided by the joint include rotation of the head. Therefore, the dens is involved in head shaking when saying "no."

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