Why is there a bulge at the top of my volumetric flask?
From ASTM manual [1, p. 204], emphasis mine:

Volumetric flasks should be diluted to just below the line, mixed thoroughly, then allowed to stand for 4 to 24 h to allow any heat from an acid-water reaction to dissipate. [...] Thorough mixing consists of at least 20 complete inversions of the volumetric flask, allowing enough time on each for the air bubble to completely traverse the length of the vessel. Some borosilicate volumetric flasks contain a bulge in the neck above the line as an aid to proper mixing.

Volumetric pipetts also have a large bulge in the middle, but it serves a different purpose – to keep the $\rm length : volume$ ratio minimal and still maintain quick liquid collection with high precision.
Reference

Dulski, T. R. A Manual for the Chemical Analysis of Metals; ASTM manual series; ASTM: West Conshohocken, PA, 1996. ISBN 978-0-8031-2066-2.