Gooseneck

Gooseneck is a term used to describe a curved neck that resembles that of a goose. It is applied to both natural anatomy and to a range of manufactured objects designed with a flexible or prominently arched neck, allowing adjustable positioning or reach.

In animals, the gooseneck refers to the cervical region of geese and other waterfowl. This portion of the neck is relatively long and can be highly mobile, enabling the bird to feed, preen, and balance while its body remains in a different orientation. The term is primarily descriptive rather than anatomical a fixed designation in clinical contexts.

In equipment and fixtures, gooseneck describes a flexible, adjustable neck that can be bent or rotated. Examples include gooseneck lamps, gooseneck microphones, and gooseneck faucets. These devices use a jointed or spring-loaded neck to hold a light, microphone, or nozzle in a desired position while allowing repeated repositioning. The underlying mechanism often relies on tension, springs, or torsion to maintain the chosen angle.

In towing and transportation, the gooseneck hitch is a type of trailer hitch that connects a trailer to the bed of a towing vehicle, typically a pickup truck. A ball hitch is mounted in the truck bed, and the trailer has a corresponding coupler that fits over the ball. This arrangement supports higher payloads and stability compared with traditional bumper hitches and is commonly used for heavy trailers, including livestock or construction equipment. The term “gooseneck” in this context alludes to the curved, neck-like extension of the hitching apparatus.

Other uses include gooseneck cranes and gooseneck piping, where the defining feature is a pronounced, curved or bendable neck that provides reach and clearance in constrained spaces.