each named or mentioned only once fig1 illustrates a headrest 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention which is provided on the backrest 11 of a vehicle seat by means of retaining rods 9 the vehicle seat has an occupant 10 sitting in it the headrest 1 comprises preferably a basic element 2 on which are provided the retaining rods 9 by means of which the basic element 2 is fastened on the backrest 11 in particular the headrest 1 is height adjustable and or can have its inclination adjusted in the direction of or away from the head of the seat occupant 10 provision is also preferably made here for the headrest 1 to have a wing element 3 in each case to the right and left of the basic element 2 wherein the wing element 3 is mounted on the basic element 2 in each case by means of two hinges 4 the two hinges 4 constitute a vertical axis 12 about which the wing element 3 is mounted in a rotatable manner each wing element 3 can be adjusted into a multiplicity of positions it is quite particularly preferably the case that the wing element 3 can also be moved in a stowage position in which it is arranged essentially parallel to the basic element 2 and in abutment against the same in particular provision is made for the wing element 3 to be transferrable in a reversible manner between a swung forward adjustment position and in a swung back adjustment position for example the swung forward wing element then serves to protect the head of the seat occupant 10 against the sun or to provide him with a rest for the side of his.