What is the largest vertebrae in the spine?

What is the largest vertebrae in the spine?

• A. C1
• B. C3
• C. C4
• D. C2

Answer: (D)

In the cervical region shown, the axis is the largest vertebra. It has a relatively thick vertebral body and a unique feature—the dens—that projects upward to fit into the atlas. This setup makes the axis sturdier than the other cervical vertebrae illustrated. The atlas, in contrast, is ring-shaped and lacks a true vertebral body, so it isn’t large. The remaining cervical vertebrae have smaller, typical bodies. So, among the options given, the axis is the largest cervical vertebra. (Note: overall, the largest vertebrae in the entire spine are the lumbar vertebrae, but that’s outside the scope of these choices.)

In the cervical region shown, the axis is the largest vertebra. It has a relatively thick vertebral body and a unique feature—the dens—that projects upward to fit into the atlas. This setup makes the axis sturdier than the other cervical vertebrae illustrated. The atlas, in contrast, is ring-shaped and lacks a true vertebral body, so it isn’t large. The remaining cervical vertebrae have smaller, typical bodies. So, among the options given, the axis is the largest cervical vertebra. (Note: overall, the largest vertebrae in the entire spine are the lumbar vertebrae, but that’s outside the scope of these choices.)