Where Is the Nape of the Neck Located?

All the cervical vertebrae have an opening, called the vertebral foramen, that allows nerves to pass through. These include the spinal cord and the cervical spinal nerves that branch out from it.

Muscles that control the movement of the head, including the trapezius, sternocleidomastoid and splenius captitis muscles, pass through the nape of the neck. The nape also has ligaments and tendons.