What is the proper term for that (optional) bump on the back of the neck?

fungusgeek

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What is the proper term for that bump on the back of the neck?
Thumb stop?

Such as this (with credit to Beau Hannam):
 

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I always thought they were goiters. :p

I'm not sure if they've got any purpose, but done well they sure look pretty and provide a nice hand feel when carrying guitars by they neck.

They reinforce the neck at the weakest point. Lots of 50's & 60's Gibson solid body guitars broke there from falling over, and the repair often times included adding a volute.
 
I thought it was a "heel". But perhaps that is just for the neck itself, and not the body part that supports the neck.
 
There is something similar to that on my Godin Multiuke and I really like it, gives me a solid comfortable place to rest my thumb when playing certain first position chords.
 
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