Abstract:Archegonium,the female reproductive organ in bryophytes,pteridophytes and gymnosperms,consists of an egg cell,a ventral canal cell and one to several neck cells(neck canal cells).Among them,neck cells are the only effective structure for male gametes to enter the archegonia and accomplish fertilization,and therefore,play essential roles during the archegonial development and fertilization.Here,we review the research progress on the formation process,development and structural characteristic of neck cells,in particular about the function during fertilization.In addition,we point out the remaining problems in current research and give an outlook to the future research on neck cells.