Nape of the neck - Nape of the neck

Japanese: うなじ(項) - うなじ（英語表記）nape of neck

This refers to the back of the neck. Its extent is unclear, but it roughly corresponds to the external occipital protuberance above and the tip of the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra below. The skin in this area is very thick, and hair grows in some of the upper part. Under the skin, between the spinous processes of the spine and the occipital bone, there is an elastic ligament called the nuchal septum (or nuchal ligament), which like a rubber band holds the head back and prevents it from bending forward. Because muscles (mainly the transverse occipitalis muscle) run like a bank on both sides of the nuchal septum, there is a depression called the "nuchal dimple" in the midline on the outer surface of the nape of the neck.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

くびの後面をいう。その範囲ははっきりしないが，およそ上は外後頭隆起，下は第7頸椎棘（きよく）突起の先端に相当する。この部の皮膚ははなはだ厚く，上方の一部には頭髪がはえている。皮下には脊柱の棘突起と後頭骨との間に項中隔(または項靱帯（じんたい）)という弾性靱帯があって，頭が前へのめるのをゴムのひものように後方へ引きとめている。項中隔の両側には筋肉(主として横突後頭筋)が堤防状に走っているため，うなじの外表には正中部に〈ぼんのくぼ〉というへこみがある。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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