Skip to Main Content

Congenital torticollis

Congenital torticollis

Baby with normal neck muscles, compared to baby with congenital torticollis, with shortened neck muscle on right side causing head to tilt up to left.

Torticollis, also known as "wryneck," is a condition in which your baby's head is tilted. One of your newborn's neck muscles is shortened. So the chin points away from the shortened neck muscle. And the back of the head tilts back toward the shoulder. For example, if your baby's right neck muscle is shortened, the head will tilt back to the right shoulder and face left.

Current as of: July 17, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

© 1995-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.