nuch-, nucha- +
(Medical Latin: neck; of the neck; nape of the neck)
nucha
1. The nape (back) of the neck.
2. The back or upper part of the neck.
nuchal
1. A reference to the back of the neck beginning just below the occipital [back of the head] region extending down to the spine of the seventh cervical vertebra.
2. Referring to the back of the neck (nape); for example, "nuchal rigidity" is a stiff neck, sometimes a symptom of meningitis.
nuchalgia
A reference to a pain in the nape (back) of the neck.
A Medical Latin hybrid coined from nuchal.
nuchal ligament
An elastic ligament extending from the external occipital protuberance to the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.
nuchal planum, planum nuchale
That part of the squama (scaly or platelike) occipitalis (bone forming the rear bottom of the skull) which lies below the highest nuchal lines is rough and irregular and functions as the attachment for several muscles in the back of the neck.
nuchal rigidity
Stiffness of the neck and resistance to passive movements, particularly flexion, usually accompanied by pain and spasm when motion is attempted; recognized widely as the most common sign, after early infancy, of meningeal irritation, notably of meningitis and bleeding into the subarachnoid space.
nuchal tubercle
An elevation projecting beneath the skin, produced by the long spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.
Word families with similar applications: "back, backside" word units:
dorso- (back, on the back);
lumbo- (loin, lower back);
pygo- (rump, rear end, back side).
Cross references related to "neck, throat" word families:
cervic-;
coll-;
esophag-;
guttur-;
laryng-;
trachel-.
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