Crepitus due to air in soft tissues: This condition, often resulting from a traumatic injury or surgical procedure, leads to the introduction of air into the soft tissues of the neck, causing crunchy or bubbling sensations and sounds when the area is palpated or moved.

Thyroid cartilage crepitus: This can occur due to inflammation, injury, or degenerative changes affecting the thyroid cartilage, leading to abnormal sounds during movement of the neck or swallowing.
Cervical spine osteoarthritis: Degenerative changes in the cervical spine can lead to the formation of bone spurs or the alteration of joint spaces, potentially causing crunchy or grinding sensations during neck movement.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder: Although the TMJ is located more laterally, severe cases can refer symptoms to the front of the neck, including clicking, popping, or crunching sounds during jaw movement.

Pneumomediastinum or pneumothorax: Air leaking into the mediastinum or pleural space can cause crunching sounds (Hamman’s sign) during heartbeat, which is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Tracheal or esophageal rupture: These are emergency conditions that can present with severe neck pain, difficulty breathing, and potentially crunchy sounds due to air leakage into soft tissues.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A genetic disorder affecting connective tissue, which can lead to hypermobile joints and potentially abnormal sounds due to joint subluxations or instability.
Relapsing polychondritis: An autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation and destruction of cartilaginous structures, including those in the neck, potentially leading to crunchy sounds.
Foreign body in the neck: Although rare, the presence of a foreign body (e.g., a fish bone) in the soft tissues of the neck can cause unusual sensations, including crunching sounds.