Neck

Cervical region morphology: neck length and thickness, cervicomental angle, laryngeal prominence, sternocleidomastoid visibility, posterior neck. Dimensions are drawn from craniofacial anthropometry (Farkas) and cervicofacial-aesthetics literature (Ellenbogen-Karlin, Connell). The cervicomental angle is the central aesthetic landmark of the neck region; laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple) is sex-dimorphic.

Dimensions

• Neck length

  photo-observable

  ordinal · neck_length_proportional

  Vertical neck length proportional to face height.

  Farkas LG (1994). Anthropometry of the Head and Face, 2nd Edition. Reference: cervical length (gnathion to suprasternal notch) proportional to overall facial height.

  Valid values (3)

  • shortShort— Neck length less than approximately 70% of facial height.
  • averageAverage— Neck length approximately 70-100% of facial height (Farkas reference range).
  • longLong— Neck length substantially greater than facial height; swan-neck appearance.

• Neck thickness

  photo-observable

  ordinal · neck_thickness_proportional

  Neck thickness relative to head width.

  Aligned with sports-medicine descriptors of cervical-girth norms; reference values vary substantially with sex and training.

  Valid values (3)

  • thinThin— Neck substantially narrower than head; minimal cervical musculature.
  • averageAverage— Neck width proportional to head width.
  • thickThick— Neck width approaches or exceeds head width; pronounced cervical musculature or subcutaneous fullness.

• Cervicomental angle

  photo-observable

  categorical · ellenbogen_karlin_cervicomental

  Angle between the submental plane and the anterior neck.

  Ellenbogen R, Karlin JV (1980). Visual criteria for success in restoring the youthful neck. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 66(6): 826-837. Reference: cervicomental angle 105-120° as the youthful aesthetic norm.

  Valid values (3)

  • sharp_youthfulSharp / youthful (~90°)— Crisp angular transition between submental plane and neck; aesthetic ideal.
  • balancedBalanced (~105-120°)— Within Ellenbogen-Karlin reference range.
  • obtuse_agedObtuse / aged (>130°)— Reduced angle definition; common with submental fat or platysmal banding.

• Laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple)

  photo-observable

  ordinal · thyroid_cartilage_prominence_qualitative

  Visibility of the thyroid cartilage prominence. Sex-dimorphic — typically more prominent in adult-male physiognomy due to differing thyroid-cartilage angles.

  Anatomic descriptor aligned with otolaryngology and gender-affirming-care literature on thyroid-cartilage prominence (chondrolaryngoplasty references).

  Valid values (4)

  • minimalMinimal— Thyroid cartilage barely visible; typical of female adult physiognomy.
  • moderateModerate— Visible but not pronounced thyroid cartilage.
  • prominentProminent— Pronounced Adam's apple; typical of male adult physiognomy.
  • very_prominentVery prominent— Substantial thyroid-cartilage projection.

• Sternocleidomastoid visibility

  partly photo-observable

  ordinal · scm_visibility_qualitative

  Visibility of the sternocleidomastoid muscle as a distinct surface landmark.

  Aligned with surface-anatomy descriptors used in sports medicine and aesthetic-medicine literature.

  Valid values (4)

  • not_visibleNot visible— SCM not discernible at the skin surface; soft-tissue coverage obscures muscle outline.
  • subtleSubtle— SCM faintly visible during rotation or tension.
  • definedDefined— SCM clearly visible at rest as a distinct landmark.
  • highly_definedHighly defined— Pronounced SCM definition; very low body-fat percentage in the cervical region.

• Platysmal banding

  partly photo-observable

  categorical · platysmal_band_classification

  Visibility of platysmal bands — the vertical neck cords that become more visible with aging or low body-fat percentage.

  Connell BF, Shamoun JM (1997). The significance of digastric muscle contouring for rejuvenation of the submental area of the face. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 99(6).

  Valid values (4)

  • absentAbsent
  • subtleSubtle— Platysmal cords barely visible at rest.
  • moderateModerate— Visible cords at rest; aging-related change.
  • markedMarked— Pronounced cords creating a 'turkey-wattle' appearance.

• Neck skin quality

  photo-observable

  ordinal · neck_skin_qualitative

  Skin quality in the cervical region — common site for visible aging changes.

  Aligned with the Connell-Shamoun and Ellenbogen-Karlin neck-aesthetics descriptors.

  Valid values (4)

  • smooth_youthfulSmooth / youthful
  • averageAverage— Some texture or fine lines visible.
  • loose_laxLoose / lax— Visible cervical skin laxity; redundant skin folds.
  • wrinkledWrinkled— Pronounced cervical wrinkles or 'necklace lines'.