kaelaketid
Kaelaketid are the bones that form the cervical portion of the vertebral column. In humans, the neck region comprises seven vertebrae, labeled C1 through C7. The first vertebra, C1 (atlas), supports the skull and lacks a true vertebral body; the second, C2 (axis), carries the odontoid process (dens) that functions as a pivot for rotation. C3 through C7 are typical cervical vertebrae with a body, a vertebral arch, a spinous process, and transverse processes that contain openings for the passage of the vertebral arteries.
Intervertebral discs separate adjacent kaelaketid and contribute to their flexibility. The upper cervical joints, including the
Development and variation: the kaelaketid arise from the somites during embryonic development and undergo gradual ossification
Clinical relevance: injuries such as cervical fractures, whiplash, or degenerative changes like cervical spondylosis can affect
Etymology and context: kaelaketid translates as “neck bones” in Estonian, typically referring to the cervical vertebrae.