What condition involves the head and neck being bent to one side?

The condition that involves the head and neck being bent to one side is torticollis. This condition, often referred to as "wry neck," can stem from various causes, including muscle spasms, malpositioning at birth (congenital torticollis), or muscle tightness. In torticollis, the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which runs along the side of the neck, is typically affected, causing the head to tilt toward one shoulder while the chin rotates toward the opposite side. This characteristic posture is essential in identifying the condition.

In distinguishing torticollis from the other conditions presented, scoliosis involves a curvature of the spine, cervical dystonia also includes abnormal head postures but is typically more variable and often involves twisting or turning of the neck, and kyphosis refers to an excessive outward curvature of the spine, not a lateral tilt of the head. Understanding these differences helps clarify why torticollis is the correct answer, as it specifically describes the side-bending of the head and neck.