It’s finally happened. Your nana’s sagging jawline has made an unwelcome appearance on your face. What’s started as a little softness under your chin has become a full-fledged gobbler.
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“What’s known as ‘turkey neck’ is a problem with your neck’s skin, fat or underlying muscle, or a combination of the three,” says plastic surgeon Martin Newman, MD. “It’s often a sign of aging, but younger people can experience it, too. There are many ways to address it, depending on the cause and what kind of results you want.”
Dr. Newman explains why turkey neck develops and the many nonsurgical and surgical options available to improve or get rid of it.
The neck of a turkey contains some unique anatomical features not found on most other birds. Namely, the wattle and caruncle are two types of fleshy growths that dangle from a turkey’s neck and serve important purposes. But what exactly are these parts called and what functions do they provide?
The Wattle
The wattle refers to the flap of bumpy, red skin hanging from underneath the turkey’s chin. Its texture is wrinkled and covered in small bumps or warts, resembling a prune or deflated balloon.
Wattles come in various shapes and sizes depending on the turkey Some of the most common types include
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Snood – A long, slender wattle hanging over the bill.
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Dewlap – The wattle drooping from the turkey’s chin and throat.
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Beard – Thin, hair-like wattles protruding from the chest.
On male turkeys, or toms, the wattle becomes engorged with blood during mating season, turning a vibrant red color. This helps attract female turkeys. Wattles also assist with temperature regulation, providing bare skin that releases heat on hot days.
The Caruncle
The caruncle refers to the patch of bumpy, red skin on top of the turkey’s head and neck. It sits just behind the snood wattle and above the eyes.
The caruncle often has a more irregular, lumpy texture compared to the wattle’s smooth surface. It can vary from red to blue or white in color.
Purpose and Function
The wattle and caruncle serve a variety of important functions:
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Heat dissipation – The bare skin releases excess heat from the turkey’s head on hot days.
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Social signaling – Bright red wattles signal dominance and attract mates. Pale wattles indicate fear.
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Sex identification – Wattles are larger in males than females. Caruncles are also bigger in males.
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Head protection – Wattles and caruncles cushion blows to the head during fights.
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Species identification – The shape and size of wattles helps distinguish turkey species.
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Beauty – While strange to human eyes, wattles and caruncles are considered attractive features in the turkey world!
Other Birds With Wattles
Wattles and caruncles are not unique to turkeys. Other birds sporting these fleshy decorations include:
- Chickens
- Pheasants
- Cassowaries
- Curassows
- Grouse
- Cranes
- Jacanas
- Gallinules
However, the turkey’s wattle and caruncle are among the largest and most pronounced in the avian world, making them a hallmark of turkey anatomy.
Uses in Cooking
The wattle and caruncle are edible and safe for human consumption. However, they contain little meat and are not commonly eaten. But the wattle can add flavor to stocks and broths when simmered for long periods to break down its tough tissues.
The meatless caruncle is sometimes added to gravies for texture and gelatin. But most people remove the wattle and caruncle before cooking the turkey itself.
Turkey Trivia
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Ben Franklin famously preferred the turkey over the bald eagle as America’s national bird. He called the turkey “a much more respectable Bird.”
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Male turkeys are called “toms” while females are called “hens.” Baby turkeys are known as poults.
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Only male turkeys gobble. Hens make clicking and yelping sounds.
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A group of turkeys on the ground is called a “rafter.” When foraging in trees, they are a “gang.”
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Turkey vultures get their name from their bald, red heads, resembling a turkey’s wattle and caruncle. But they are not closely related.
So next Thanksgiving when you sit down to eat turkey, take a moment to appreciate the unique wattle and caruncle that once dangled from its neck. These odd yet amazing anatomical features are part of what makes turkeys such distinctive birds.
Wattle: 12
Caruncle: 7
Turkey: 16
Neck: 7
What causes a turkey neck?
Dr. Newman says these six factors can cause turkey neck:
- Aging: Your skin naturally loses elasticity as you get older. “Gravity takes over, and the skin on your cheeks starts to drift down,” explains Dr. Newman. “Your cheek skin then pools underneath your jawline and in your neck.”
- Weight: Weight gain can cause extra fat to collect around your neck.
- Genetics: “I hear, ‘I have my mother’s neck’ or ‘I have my father’s jaw,’ all the time,” Dr. Newman says. “Your inherited bone structure or anatomy affects whether you carry extra neck tissue or are prone to collect excess fat around your neck.”
- Lifestyle factors: Environmental toxins, smoking, sun damage and a poor diet can all eat affect your skin’s elasticity, too.
- Medications: Certain medications can cause overall weight gain or fat to be more concentrated in certain areas of your body, including your neck. “There’s a phenomenon called HIV lipodystrophy, where some anti-HIV medications cause fat to collect in your neck and other areas of your body,” Dr. Newman says. Steroid medications can also make your face rounder and increase neck fat.
- Weak neck muscles: You have two platysma muscles on the front of your neck. “These muscles can weaken or separate over time, affecting your neck’s appearance,” Dr. Newman explains.
Nonsurgical treatments for a turkey neck
Many products and minimally invasive procedures can help improve your skin’s elasticity and the appearance of neck fat, including:
Other, more potent options include:
- Deoxycholic acid, or Kybella® injections, which help dissolve neck fat.
- Fat freezing and nonsurgical body sculpting, such as CoolSculpting®, and devices that use laser, radiofrequency or ultrasound energy to destroy fat cells.
To improve your neck’s underlying muscle quality and tone, you can try:
- Turkey neck exercises: Daily neck exercises can strengthen neck muscles, which may help improve your neck’s appearance. For ideas on moves you can try, ask a dermatologist.
- Botox® for turkey neck: As the platysma muscles weaken, vertical bands or cords can appear on your neck. “The muscles become tight and enlarged,” Dr. Newman explains. “Applying Botox (botulinum toxin) helps tone them down and can be very effective.” Before having Botox injections into your neck bands, though, be sure to ask your plastic surgeon about “indications” for this medication (whether it’s safe and recommended for you).
But buyer beware: “The brochures for many nonsurgical treatments commonly promise great results, but often provide subtle changes,” Dr. Newman warns. “And it usually takes several sessions to achieve desired results followed by maintenance.”
He continues: “While they can improve your skin’s character and quality, they all pale in comparison to turkey neck surgery. Nevertheless, many people are happy with their results.”Every facelift surgery is specific to the person’s unique face and goals, so it’s important to have a thorough discussion with your surgeon before your surgery.
What causes a turkey neck ?
FAQ
What is another name for a turkey neck?
A dewlap neck, or ‘turkey neck’ refers to the appearance of the skin below the chin.
What is the turkey gobbler called?
TOM OR GOBBLER: An adult male. WATTLE: A flap of loose skin hanging under the chin and neck. SNOOD: A flap of skin that hangs down over the beak. Females prefer to mate with long-snooded males, and male turkeys defer to males with longer snoods.
What do you call the skin under the turkey neck?
The wattle, which extends below the beak, is that inelastic ‘turkey-neck’ flap of skin below the beak that we all hope NOT to acquire ourselves as we age! Turkeys, unlike chickens, have a single wattle centered along the mid-line of the neck, whereas chickens have two fleshy wattles below each side of the beak.
Why is it called Turkey Neck?
It’s called turkey neck because it resembles the skin on a turkey’s neck (turkey’s wattle). Turkey neck is common in older adults but can also occur in younger people who have lost a lot of weight. Several treatment options for this condition include creams, diet, exercises, and surgery. What is a wry neck?
Which part of a Turkey is connected to the neck?
Connected to the neck is the breast, which is the meaty part of the turkey that is often used in cooking. The diagram also highlights the wings, which are located on either side of the body. Turkeys have two wings, each with three main sections: the primary feathers, secondary feathers, and tertiary feathers.
Is Turkey Neck hereditary?
“Turkey neck, sometimes called turkey gobble neck, is basically loose neck skin and muscles,” says Dr. Larry Pollack, a board-certified plastic surgeon affiliated with Sharp Memorial Hospital. “It can be hereditary, but is most often due to aging, UV damage or weight loss.” Dr. What is the part of the turkey neck that hangs down?
What causes a turkey neck?
Turkey neck can be caused by several factors, but it’s usually because of age. Most people begin to lose collagen by the time they turn 30 (collagen is the protein that makes the skin firm and plump). This causes the skin on the neck to become loose, ultimately resulting in a turkey neck. Other causes of this condition include:
What is a Turkey snood called?
I’ve seen it called a wattle, too, but according to Time magazine, the wattle is actually the skin folds under the turkey neck that fill with blood and puff the bird up. The snood might serve a similar purpose, but there doesn’t seem to be a consensus or clear explanation in what I’ve found so far.
How do you know if a Turkey has a snood?
Several distinctive features are found on a turkey’s head and neck: Snood – A fleshy protuberance that hangs over the beak. Longer on male turkeys Caruncles – Fleshy growths on the head and neck They become more prominent on male turkeys. Wattles – A fleshy flap of skin under the chin. Both sexes have them.