dens /den″ēz/ [L, tooth] , 1. a tooth or toothlike structure or process. The term is sometimes modified to identify a particular tooth, such as dens caninus or dens molaris. 2. the cone-shaped odontoid process of the axis, or second cervical vertebra. It receives the atlantal ring to act as a pivot for the atlas, or first cervical vertebra. See also dentition, odontoid process, tooth.
