Final answer:
The first cervical vertebra is called the atlas, named after the Greek mythological figure. It is ring-shaped and supports the skull, allowing for head movement as part of the vertebral column. Together with the axis, it facilitates the rotation of the head.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first cervical vertebra, which supports the head, is called the atlas. Unlike typical vertebrae, the atlas does not have a body or a spinous process. It is ring-shaped, composed of an anterior and a posterior arch, and has longer transverse processes compared to other cervical vertebrae. The superior articular processes of the atlas are deeply curved for articulation with the occipital condyles of the skull, providing support for the head, much like the mythological figure Atlas supporting the heavens.
The atlas, along with the second cervical vertebra called the axis, plays a crucial role in the movement and support of the head. The axis is identified by the dens (odontoid process), a bony projection which extends upward and is held in place by the transverse ligament, enabling rotational movement of the head.
The vertebral column, also known as the spine, consists of a series of vertebrae, each corresponding to different regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal. The cervical region of the vertebral column is comprised of seven vertebrae, designated as C1 through C7, with the C1 vertebra, or atlas, articulating with the base of the skull.