Nape — Mediated Wiki

{{Short description|Back of the neck}} {{Other uses}} [[File:Geisha-kyoto-2004-11-21.jpg|thumb|The uncovered nape of a {{transliteration|ja|maiko}}{{'s}} neck]] thumb|Cat carrying a kitten by its nape, known as the "scruff"

The '''nape''' is the back of the neck. In technical anatomical/medical terminology, the nape is also called the '''nucha''' (from the Medieval Latin rendering of the Arabic {{lang|ar|نُخَاع}}, {{gloss|spinal marrow}}). The corresponding adjective is ''nuchal'', as in the term ''nuchal rigidity'' for neck stiffness.

In many mammals, the nape bears a loose, non-sensitive area of skin, known as the '''scruff''', by which a mother carries her young by her teeth, temporarily immobilizing it during transport. In the mating of cats, the male will grip the female's scruff with his teeth to help immobilize her during the act,<ref>{{cite book |title=Illustrated Catwatching |first=Desmond |last=Morris |author-link=Desmond Morris |publisher=Crescent Books |year=1994 |isbn=0-517-12065-8 |pages=94, 108}}</ref> a form of pinch-induced behavioral inhibition.

==Cultural connotations== In traditional Japanese culture, the {{nihongo|nape|項|unaji}} was one of the few areas of the body (other than face and hands) left uncovered by women's attire. The nape of a woman's neck held a strong attraction for many Japanese men (see {{transliteration|ja|oshiroi}}).<ref>{{cite book |title=Womansword: What Japanese Words Say about Women |first=Kittredge |last=Cherry |author-link=Kittredge Cherry |publisher=Kodansha |year=1987 |isbn=4-7700-1655-7 |page=21}}</ref>

In Egyptian and Lebanese culture, slapping the nape is considered a gesture of utter humiliation.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zKFuAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT150|title=Terminal Rage|last=Khalifa|first=A. M.|date=2014-04-28|publisher=Mavenhill|isbn=9781940387000|language=en}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{Wiktionary-inline}} *{{Commons category-inline}}

Category:Human head and neck