Hoofdhals

Hoofdhals is a Dutch anatomical term describing the region where the head meets the neck, corresponding to the cervicocranial area. It encompasses the base of the skull, the upper cervical spine, and the surrounding soft tissues.

Anatomical boundaries: Superiorly the cranial base at the occipital bone and adjacent temporal region; inferiorly around the upper thoracic inlet; laterally the mandible, the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and the trapezius border; the anterior boundary is the visceral space including the pharynx and larynx.

Within this region lie several important structures: the occipital bone and atlas, the upper cervical vertebrae, the carotid sheaths containing the common carotid arteries and internal jugular veins, the vagus and hypoglossal nerves, the spinal accessory nerve, and lymphatic drainage pathways to the deep cervical lymph nodes. The muscles of the region include the sternocleidomastoid, scalene muscles, and the posterior neck muscles like splenius capitis.

Clinical relevance: The hoofdhals is a common focus in evaluations of head and neck pain, trauma, infections, and tumors. Imaging modalities such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI are used to assess structural integrity, vascular conditions, and lymph node status. Treatments vary with condition, ranging from conservative management to surgical procedures such as neck dissections for cancer or decompression for spine issues.

Etymology and usage: The term combines hoofd (head) and hals (neck), reflecting the anatomical junction. In English literature, the equivalent may be “head and neck region” or “craniocervical region.”