Word Study
nuchal
CIDE DICTIONARY
nuchal, a. [Cf. F. nucal.].
Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the back, or nape, of the neck; -- applied especially to the anterior median plate in the carapace of turtles. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
nuchal, adj. of or relating to the nape of the neck.
Etymology
nucha nape f. med.L nucha medulla oblongata f. Arab. nuka' spinal marrow
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