The movement of a body part in the posterior direction, i.e. backwards. (Also movement of a protracted body part back to the anatomical position.) Uncrossing arms and allowing them to rest at either side of the body; retraction of clavicles.
However, stiff neck is also a symptom of meningitis (along with headache and fever). Neck stiffness may also develop as a reaction and result of muscle spasm in various conditions that cause neck pain, including traumatic injuries. Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 3/30/2015.
By far the most common cause of a stiff neck is a muscle sprain or muscle strain, particularly to the levator scapula muscle. Located at the back and side of the neck, the levator scapula muscle connects the cervical spine (the neck) with the shoulder. stiff neck may also be accompanied by a headache, neck pain, shoulder pain and/or arm pain, and cause the individual to turn the entire body as opposed to the neck when trying to look sideways or backwards.