"The nape is the back of the neck. In technical anatomical/medical terminology, the nape is also called the nucha (from Latin); the corresponding adjective is nuchal, ...
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as in the term nuchal rigidity.
In many mammals, the nape is the site of the scruff, a loose, non-sensitive area of skin by which the mother can carry her young, holding the scruff between her teeth. In domestic cats, the scruff is used when a mother cat transfers her kittens, either by carrying them away from danger or to a new nest or den site (carrying each kitten by gripping its scruff in her teeth), and in mating, when the male cat (tom) grips the female cat´s scruff with his teeth to help keep her relatively immobile. See Pinch-induced behavioral inhibition." - (en.wikipedia.org 15.02.2020)
