Neck (body part) facts for kids

Neck (body part)

The neck is a very important part of your body. It's the section that connects your head to your main body, called the trunk. Think of it as a bridge!

Your neck is super busy. It holds up your head and lets you move it in many directions. It also protects many vital parts that help you live and do everyday things.

What's Inside Your Neck?

Your neck is packed with amazing things. It contains bones, muscles, and tubes that carry important stuff.

Bones and Muscles

• Spine: Inside your neck are seven small bones called the cervical spine. These bones stack up to form the top part of your backbone. They help support your head and protect the spinal cord, which sends messages between your brain and body.
• Muscles: Many muscles are in your neck. These strong tissues help you move your head up, down, and side to side. They also help you chew and swallow food.

Important Tubes and Vessels

Your neck has several important tubes and vessels:

• Windpipe (Trachea): This tube is also called the trachea. It's how air gets from your mouth and nose down to your lungs when you breathe.
• Voice Box (Larynx): The larynx is often called your voice box. It's where your voice comes from! When air passes through it, it makes sounds so you can talk, sing, or shout.
• Food Pipe (Esophagus): The esophagus is the tube that carries food and drinks from your mouth down to your stomach.
• Blood Vessels: Your neck has big blood vessels that carry blood to and from your brain. The Carotid artery carries fresh, oxygen-rich blood to your head. The Jugular vein carries blood back to your heart.
• Lymph Nodes: These are small, bean-shaped glands that are part of your immune system. They help your body fight off germs and infections.
• Nerves: Many nerves run through your neck. These are like tiny wires that send messages between your brain and the rest of your body. They help you feel things and control your movements.

Other Tissues

• Connective Tissue: This is like the "glue" that holds everything together inside your neck. It supports and connects different parts.
• Skin: The skin is the outer covering of your neck, just like the rest of your body. It protects everything inside.

Your neck is a busy and vital part of your body, allowing you to move your head, speak, breathe, and swallow!