Neck

Drawing of the anatomy of the human neck. By Leonardo Da Vinci (c. 1515).

The neck (from the Latin Collum) is the transition area between the skull —above—, the trunk and the upper extremities —below. It functions as a conduit for the structures that circulate between them, as well as containing specialized structures such as the larynx, trachea, esophagus, and thyroid and parathyroid glands. To facilitate flexibility and enhance the effectiveness of the sensory organs found in the head, the neck has a relatively thin structure.

The structures contained in the neck (both in humans and animals) are vulnerable to injuries of various kinds, since the neck does not offer bony protection —with the exception of the spinal cord, which is contained within the neck. cervical canal. The blood supply is given mainly by the carotid arteries and the venous drainage by the jugular veins -external, internal and anterior-.

Some neck injuries are healed with the use of a neck brace.