odontoid process

n.
A small, toothlike, upward projection from the second vertebra of the neck around which the first vertebra rotates.

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(dĕnz)
n., pl. den·tes (dĕn'tēz').

1. Tooth.
2. A toothlike process projecting upward from the body of the axis around which the atlas rotates. Also called odontoid process of epistropheus.