nuchae

Nucha, plural nuchae, is the anatomical term for the nape of the neck—the posterior aspect of the neck. In humans it refers to the region behind the head, roughly from the base of the skull down to the upper back where the neck meets the shoulders. The nuchal region is a standard descriptor in anatomy and is also used in comparative anatomy across mammals.

A key structure in the nuchal region is the ligamentum nuchae, a strong elastic band extending from the external occipital protuberance and the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone to the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae, typically C7. It helps to support the head and provides a surface for the attachment of several muscles. Muscles associated with the nuchal area include the trapezius, splenius capitis, and semispinalis capitis, among others, which contribute to head extension, rotation, and posture.

Anatomical landmarks in the nuchal region include the external occipital protuberance and the superior nuchal lines on the occipital bone, which mark its upper boundary. The region contains muscular, cutaneous, and neural structures that vary among individuals and species.

Clinically, nuchal terminology appears in phrases such as nuchal rigidity, a neck stiffness sign that can accompany meningitis or other serious conditions. The nuchal region is also relevant in physical examination and sensory assessments of the neck and scalp.