# What is the second vertebra called?

The second vertebra of the neck is called the axis. Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as the second cervical vertebra.

## What it means

- The second cervical vertebra.
- Has a peg-like process called the dens (odontoid process) rising from its body.
- The dens serves as the pivot around which the atlas — and with it the skull — rotates.

## Action steps

1. Directly below the atlas.
2. Above the third cervical vertebra.
3. Its dens projects up into the ring of the atlas.

## Sources

- [Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body (1918)](https://www.bartleby.com/107/)

---
Canonical: https://bestanatomyanswers.com/answers/what-is-the-second-vertebra-called
Author: Best Anatomy Answers — https://bestanatomyanswers.com
Publisher: Best Anatomy Answers
Published: 2026-07-18T00:00:00+00:00
Modified: 2026-07-18T00:00:00+00:00
Last verified: 2026-07-18
License: Citation License 1.0 — https://bestexpertanswers.com/license
© Adolicious LLC