Morphometry of cervical vertebrae in tiger (Panthera tigris).

Atlas is the first cervical vertebra and atypical in both structure and function. It articulates with the skull cranially and with the axis caudally. The atlas and axis of tiger (Panthera tigris) are atypical in both structure and function. The spinous process is absent with reduced body parts in atlas. The cylindrical den is present at the cranial extremity and cranial articular areas are convex and triangular in shape in axis. The cervical vertebrae of tiger presented characteristics of typical vertebrae from 3rd cervical to 7th cervical vertebrae. The cranial extremity of the body is slightly convex and the caudal extremity is slightly concave.