Why Atlas, why not Heracles: Reflections on the rheumatoid cervical spine

Rheumatoid involvement of the 24 joints of the cervical spine leads to prominent changes in the occipito-atlanto-axial area. Eight different subtypes of such changes are recognized, depicted, and defined. The frequencies of these 8 subtypes in rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritides are tabulated. A central role in these disorders is played by a small-size, heavy-duty fitting piece or adapter, atlas, between the occiput and C2. The history of the fate of Atlas, who led the fight of godlike titans against the new gods of Olympos, is recapitulated. In particular, for a short moment Atlas was released from his heavy physical ordeal by another strongman, the heavy-weight wrestler of his times, Heracles. The reasons for the current nomenclature and answer to the question “Why Atlas, why not Heracles” are provided.