Many structures of the neck can cause pain. The following are some possible causes of neck pain:

• Muscular pain.
• Pain in ligaments.
• Soft tissue pain (due to injuries, abscess).
• Pain due to skin lesions (Herpes, burns).
• Pain due to airway disease.
• Pain related to the tonsils.
• Fractures of the jaw, lower skull and spine.
• Vertebral bone joint pain (Spondylosis).
• Spinal cord injuries (spinal cord compression).
• Pain in the thyroid.
• Pain during swallowing due to disease of the esophagus.
• Tumors of neck.
• Referred pain due to Angina, M.I and Meningitis etc.