Head
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/86.151.189.112|86.151.189.112]] ([[User talk:86.151.189.112|talk]]) to last version by Eeekster
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[[Image:Proportions of the Head.jpg|thumb|250px|The human head.]]
[[Image:Abdomen-head-thorax-en.svg|thumb|right|250px|The head in a human and an ant.]]
In [[anatomy]], the '''head''' of an [[animal]] is the [[rostral]] part (from [[anatomical]] position) that usually comprises the [[brain]], [[eye]]s, [[ear]]s, [[nose]], and [[mouth]] (all of which aid in various sensory functions, such as [[sight]], [[Hearing (sense)|hearing]], [[olfaction|smell]], and [[taste]]). Some very simple animals may not have a head, but many [[bilateria|bilaterally symmetric forms]] do.
==Anatomy generally==
===Bilateral symmetry===
The very simplest animals do not have a head, but many [[bilateria|bilaterally symmetric forms]] do. [[Vertebrates]] in particular have distinctive heads, which is associated with the development of the [[neural crest]] in the developing vertebrate embryo.<ref>* [http://www.nature.com/news/2000/000810/full/news000810-1.html ''Getting a Head'', article from Nature Online.]</ref> The contents of the vertebrate head are protected by an enclosure of [[bone]] called the [[skull]], which is attached to the [[spine (anatomy)|spine]]. The head is the most complex anatomical construct in the anatomy of vertebrates.<ref>* [http://www.pdn.cam.ac.uk/history/vet_anat/ University of Cambridge's Veterinary Anatomy webpage]</ref>
The head is of singular importance as it contains the [[brain]], the nerve center in animals.
==Cultural import==
For humans, the head and particularly the face are the main distinguishing feature between different people, due to their easily discernible features such as hair and eye color, nose, eye and mouth shapes, wrinkles, etc.
People who are more [[intelligent]] than normal are sometimes depicted in [[cartoon]]s as having bigger heads, as a way of indicating that they have a larger brain; in [[science fiction]], an [[Extraterrestrial life in popular culture|extraterrestrial]] having a big head is often symbolic of high intelligence. However, minor changes in brain size do not have much effect on intelligence in humans.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=neurosci.box.1833</ref>
In [[English language|English]] [[slang]], sometimes a boastful individual is said to have a "big head."
The weight of the average adult human head is about 3.6 kilograms or 8 pounds.
==Clothing==
In many cultures, covering the head is seen as a sign of respect. Often, some or all of the head must be covered and veiled when entering holy places, or places of prayer. For many centuries, women in Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia have covered their hair as a sign of modesty. This trend has changed drastically in Europe in the 20th Century, although is still observed in other parts of the world. In addition, a number of religious paths require men to wear specific head clothing- such as the Jewish [[yarmulke]], or the sikh turban; or Muslim women, who cover their hair, ears and neck with a scarf.
Different headpieces can also signify status, origin, religious/spiritual beliefs, social grouping, occupation, and fashion choices.
==Anthropometry==
[[Image:HeadAnthropometry.JPG|thumb|center|797x275px|<big><center>Static adult human [[Anthropometry|physical characteristics]] of the head.</center></big>]]
== Notes ==
{{reflist}}
==References==
* Campbell, Bernard Grant. ''Human Evolution: An Introduction to Man's Adaptations'' (4th edition), ISBN 0-202-02042-8
==See also==
* [[Headless]]
* [[Head and neck anatomy]]
== External links ==
{{wiktionary}}
{{Head and neck general}}
[[Category:Head and neck|*]]
[[ar:رأس]]
[[gn:Akã]]
[[ay:P'iqi]]
[[br:Penn]]
[[bg:Глава]]
[[ca:Cap (anatomia)]]
[[cv:Пуç]]
[[cs:Hlava (člověk)]]
[[cy:Pen]]
[[da:Hoved]]
[[pdc:Kopp]]
[[de:Kopf]]
[[dv:ބޯ]]
[[myv:Пря]]
[[es:Cabeza]]
[[eo:Kapo]]
[[eu:Buru]]
[[fa:سر]]
[[fr:Tête (anatomie)]]
[[fy:Holle]]
[[gd:Ceann]]
[[gl:Cabeza]]
[[ko:머리]]
[[io:Kapo]]
[[id:Kepala]]
[[ia:Capite]]
[[is:Höfuð]]
[[it:Testa]]
[[he:ראש]]
[[pam:Buntuk (anatomy)]]
[[kg:Ntu]]
[[ht:Tèt]]
[[la:Caput]]
[[ln:Motó]]
[[jbo:stedu]]
[[ml:തല]]
[[mr:डोके]]
[[ms:Kepala]]
[[nl:Hoofd (anatomie)]]
[[ja:頭]]
[[no:Hode]]
[[pag:Olo]]
[[pl:Głowa]]
[[pt:Cabeça]]
[[ro:Cap (anatomie)]]
[[qu:Uma]]
[[ru:Голова]]
[[sco:Heid]]
[[sq:Koka]]
[[scn:Testa]]
[[simple:Head]]
[[sk:Hlava]]
[[sl:Glava]]
[[szl:Gowa]]
[[sr:Глава]]
[[su:Sirah]]
[[fi:Pää]]
[[sv:Huvud]]
[[tl:Ulo]]
[[te:తల]]
[[tr:Kafa]]
[[uk:Голова]]
[[fiu-vro:Pää]]
[[yi:קאפ]]
[[diq:Sere]]
[[bat-smg:Galva]]
[[zh:头]]