Atloid

/ˈætlɔɪd/ adjective

Definition

Resembling or relating to the atlas, the first cervical vertebra in the neck.

Etymology

From 'atlas' (the uppermost neck vertebra, named after the Titan Atlas who held up the sky) plus the suffix '-oid' (meaning resembling or like). The anatomical term 'atlas' was named metaphorically because it supports the head.

Kelly Says

The atlas vertebra was literally named after the mythological giant Atlas because ancient anatomists thought it was fitting—your atlas 'holds up' your head just as the Titan held up the heavens, which is pretty poetic anatomical naming.

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