ScienceAugust 16, 2026

nuchal

NUK-uhl

Definition

Relating to the nape or back of the neck.

Etymology

Derived from the Medieval Latin 'nucha', meaning 'nape of the neck', which itself comes from the Arabic word 'nukhāʿ', meaning 'spinal cord'.

In the news

In this article, the 'nuchal ligament' is listed as one of several anatomical traits that evolved in early humans to help stabilize the head during sustained, endurance running.

Humans are mediocre sprinters, but in 36–41°C heat researchers watched a hunter pursue an oryx until the animal's body reached 44°C while his own stayed below 39°C — a glimpse of an endurance advantage our genus may have begun evolving roughly 2

Read the full article ↗

ScienceBlog.com

Related words

archosaurs

A diverse group of reptiles including dinosaurs, birds, crocodiles, and pterosaurs, that…

Science

archosauriforms

A group of reptiles that includes the common ancestor of both crocodiles and dinosaurs,…

Science

archosauromorph

A member of a diverse group of diapsid reptiles that includes the common ancestors of…

Science

astrocytic

Relating to or derived from astrocytes, which are star-shaped support cells in the brain…

Science

backstrap

The long, tender muscle running along either side of an animal's spine, commonly referred…

Science

barrow

An ancient burial mound consisting of a hill of earth and stones raised over a grave.

Science

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.