Dens - Dens

Anatomical hierarchy

General terms > Osteology > Axial skeleton > Vertebral column > Cervical vertebrae > Axis > Dens

Translations

Description

The dens of axis may be considered as the displaced remnant of the body of atlas. The dens articulates with the ventral arch of atlas and presents:

An apex (cranial extremity)
A ventral articular surface for articulation with the fovea dentis on the dorsal surface of the ventral arch of the atlas. This surface is confluent with the cranial articular surfaces in horse and ox but separate in other domestic animals.
A dorsal articular surface in carnivores and pigs.

Text by Antoine Micheau, MD - Copyright IMAIOS
Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic Mammals: Textbook and Colour Atlas, Sixth Edition - Horst Erich König, Hans-Georg Liebich - Schattauer - ISBN-13: 978-3794528332
Illustrated Veterinary Anatomical Nomenclature - 3rd edittion - Gheorghe M. Constantinescu, Oskar Schaller - Enke