Q18: Other congenital malformations of face and neck

Q18.3: Webbing of neck

While developing in the womb, many different types of tissue develop in the body. The organs and body parts develop out of the various types of tissue. While developing in the womb, the tissue can change its form and its position in the body. Some tissues merge into one another. Other tissues also degenerate to some degree during development. If tissue fails to develop properly, defects can occur.

An extra skin fold on the neck is also known as a pterygium. If the fold of skin is located on the side of the neck, it will be between the bony projection behind the ear and the acromion. The acromion is a bony process which you can feel at the top of the shoulder. An extra skin fold may also be located in the middle of the neck. In this case, the fold of skin may begin, for example, at the chin and extend to the top end of the sternum.