Definition of Atlas: ‘Atlas’ has multiple meanings. In geography, it is a collection of maps in a book. In anatomy, it refers to the topmost vertebra of the spine, supporting the skull. The term also denotes strength, as it comes from the mythological figure Atlas, who was tasked with holding up the sky.
Etymology and Origin: The word ‘atlas’ in the context of maps is attributed to the 16th-century Flemish geographer Gerardus Mercator, who dedicated his book of maps to the Titan Atlas of Greek mythology. In mythology, Atlas was condemned to hold up the celestial heavens for eternity. The anatomical term ‘atlas’ for the cervical vertebra draws from this mythological reference, symbolizing support.
