[AS. heafod]

1. Caput; the part of the body containing the brain and organs of sight, hearing, smell, and taste and including the facial bones.


Figure: MUSCLES OF THE HEAD AND NECK
(Anterior view)


Figure: ARTERIES AND VEINS OF THE HEAD
(Right lateral view)



2. The larger extremity of any organ.

ABNORMALITIES
An abnormal fixation of the head may be caused by postpharyngeal abscess, arthritis deformans, swollen cervical glands, rheumatism, traumatism of the neck, sprains of cervical muscles, congenital spasmodic torticollis, caries of a molar tooth, burn scars, or eye muscle imbalance (hyperphoria). An inability to move the head may be due to caries of the cervical vertebrae and diseases of articulation between the occiput and atlas or paralysis of neck muscles.

Abnormal movements of the head include habit spasms such as nodding. Rhythmical nodding is seen in aortic regurgitation, chorea, and torticollis. A retracted head is seen in acute meningitis, cerebral abscess, tumor, thrombosis of the superior longitudinal sinus, acute encephalitis, laryngeal obstruction, tetanus, hydrophobia, epilepsy, spasmodic torticollis, strychnine poisoning, hysteria, rachitic conditions, and painful neck lesions at the back.

Subentries:
after-coming head
articular head