A “turkey wattle” refers to the excess tissue that forms under a person’s jawline and creates the appearance of the section of flesh that hangs beneath a turkey’s neck. Such a look adds years to the affected person’s age, making them look much older than they actually are. A lower rhytidectomy, or a neck lift, is the perfect surgical procedure to get rid of this problem.
A turkey wattle makes a person feel self-conscious, but not everyone makes the choice to come in for treatment. The neck lift not only solves the issue but also contours the neck and restores a more youthful look.
Over time, muscles begin to sag. This includes the platysma muscles, which stretch from the collarbone to the jawline. When these muscles hang down, it creates the look of a turkey wattle. Sagging fatty tissue and hanging skin in the area add to this problem.
Skin, fat, and muscle tissue are all addressed during a neck lift. This procedure involves techniques used to remove the excess tissues and tighten the remaining tissues, leaving patients with a beautifully contoured neck.
Thanksgiving always brings turkeys into the spotlight, and if you look closely at a turkey’s neck, you’ll notice a distinctive fleshy flap of bumpy red skin called a wattle. This unique anatomical feature leads many to ask: what exactly is the thing hanging off a turkey’s neck? Let’s delve into the mysteries of the turkey wattle.
What Is a Turkey’s Wattle?
A wattle is the flap of skin that dangles from a male turkey’s neck. The wattle is composed of rough warty, wrinkled red skin that can become quite large and pendulous in adult male turkeys also called toms. Hens can also develop small wattles.
The wattle starts near the turkey’s beak and chin area and hangs down underneath the neck, sometimes swinging as the bird walks. The skin has a bumpy, uneven texture from multiple protruding caruncles and folds
While most noticeable on turkeys, other birds like roosters, pheasants and cassowaries also develop wattles. But the turkey’s wattle is arguably the most pronounced and iconic example in the avian world.
Why Do Turkeys Have Wattles?
It turns out the turkey’s wattle serves multiple important purposes beyond just looking distinctive. Here are some of the key functions of the turkey wattle:
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Temperature Regulation: The bare skin of the wattle releases excess body heat, helping cool the turkey on hot days. This is useful since turkeys can’t sweat.
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Visual Display: The wattle brightens during mating season, turning a vivid red. This visual signal helps attract hens.
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Communication: The wattle’s color can signal the turkey’s mood or health. Blue indicates fear, while pale wattles suggest sickness.
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Individual ID: The shape and size of the wattle helps differentiate individual turkeys.
So the wattle assists turkeys with thermoregulation, courtship, signaling and identification – critical roles in the bird’s survival and reproduction.
Wattle Origins and Variations
Turkey wattles begin developing early in a young male’s life, starting as a small bulge and then expanding and elongating as testosterone levels rise. The wattle’s dramatic growth spurt happens between 14-22 weeks of age.
The size and shape of the wattle varies considerably across individual turkeys. Some strains have been selectively bred to accentuate the wattle through domestication. Wild turkeys typically have smaller, more tapered wattles than commercial broad-breasted turkeys.
Care and Conditions of the Turkey Wattle
Since the wattle is so vascularized with blood vessels near the skin’s surface, it is prone to abrasions and injury, especially in commercial turkeys. Frostbite can damage wattles when turkeys are exposed to extreme cold.
As a delicate anatomical structure, the wattle should be handled carefully when carrying or preparing turkeys to avoid harming this integral part of the bird’s physiology. Any discoloration, small size or damage to the wattle may indicate illness or stress in the turkey.
So next Thanksgiving when you spot that distinctive flap of flesh swaying from the turkey’s neck, you’ll appreciate the vital biological role played by the fascinating wattle.
How Is the Neck-Lift Procedure Carried Out?
The neck lift is a straightforward surgery that takes anywhere from two to three hours to complete, depending on the amount of tissue to be removed. The patient is given general anesthesia at the start to help them stay comfortable and free of any pain during the procedure.
Incisions are then made behind the ears or beneath the chin (sometimes in both locations). Excess sagging skin is trimmed with the help of a scalpel. Drooping platysmal muscle tissues are rejoined and tightened using internal sutures. Excess fat in the area is removed using precise liposuction.
Once this process is complete, the remaining skin is redraped tightly. The incisions are closed with the help of surgical stitches.
Recovering After a Neck Lift
Drainage tubes may be inserted in the surgical area after neck-lift surgery. This is done to remove any excess fluid so that complications like hematomas and seromas can be avoided. These tubes are taken out during a follow-up appointment, as are external stitches.
Once your neck lift is finished and you have returned home, you will need to rest and recover. It is vital that you follow Dr. Patel’s post-surgical care directions closely. This will help avoid complications and can shorten the overall time the healing process takes.
While you are healing, you will be dealing with a degree of bruising and swelling in the neck. This may be accompanied by tenderness and pain. These issues will be temporary and in many cases can be treated using cold compresses and other methods.
As soon as the swelling is gone, the new contours of the patient’s neck will be apparent. The patient will no longer have their turkey wattle and will look more youthful.
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FAQ
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