What does nuchal mean?
Nuchal is an adjective meaning “of or relating to the nape,” the back of the neck. It is chiefly used in anatomy, veterinary science, medicine, and descriptive writing. A nuchal ligament supports the head, while a nuchal crest or ridge marks the back of the neck in some animals. The word is more precise than “neck” when the posterior part of the neck is meant, but it remains specialized rather than everyday. In medicine, nuchal can refer to the area at the base of the skull and upper neck. It is also familiar from “nuchal translucency,” a prenatal screening term referring to fluid measured at the back of a fetus’s neck. Although uncommon in casual conversation, nuchal provides technical and descriptive contexts with an exact, anatomically focused label.
adjectiveOf or relating to the nape, or back of the neck.
- Relating to the nape or back of the neck.
"The nuchal ligament helps stabilize the head and neck."
"The nuchal crest of the male wild turkey is a prominent feature of its plumage."
"The ultrasound measured increased nuchal translucency."
Nuchal is the anatomically precise word for the back of the neck—and even the ligaments there have a name.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
How nuchal is actually used
This is a specialized, formal term used chiefly in anatomy, medicine, zoology, and descriptive writing. In general prose, “back of the neck” is more idiomatic, while “cervical” can be broader and may have different medical implications.
Easily confused with nuchal
Nuchal relates to the nape of the neck, whereas nuclear relates to an atomic nucleus or to the nuclei of cells.