Vertebrates had gained a 'neck' as a byproduct of the acquirement of the prototype of the forelimb that helped to support the body weight and to walk in the terrestrial life. The neck allows animals to face their sensory organs (eye, nose, ears...etc) to an object regardless of the orientation of their body. The acquisition of the neck contributes to an effective detection of a prey or predator.

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The structure and function of the neck had diversified in relation to the behavior and ecology of each animal, through the evolution of the tetrapods. Long neck, short neck, robust neck, slender neck, flexible neck, rigid neck... Animals show a various type of the neck.

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I focus on the neck movement and musculoskeletal structure, and then study about the structural and functional evolution of the neck.