Odontoid Fractures

Excerpt

The odontoid process, known as the dens, is a bony element extending superiorly from the second cervical vertebra (C2, or the axis). The odontoid process is a pivotal point for rotation, with the first cervical vertebra (C1, or the atlas) rotating around it to provide the most significant single component of lateral rotation in the cervical spine. Fractures of the odontoid process are categorized into 3 types: type I, type II, and type III, depending on the location and morphology of the fracture.