Platysma

Description

origin of the platysma muscle from the fascial structure of the pectoralis major and anterior deltoid muscles. It extends downward toward the lower face integrating smoothly with the superficial musculoaponeurotic system.

Platysma at rest (a) and at maximum contraction (B).

Name

• Platysma
• Superficial Muscle of the neck
• Superficial layer of cervical fascia
• Superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS)

General

• Sheet-like muscle that exists in the superficial anterior aspect of the neck
• Situated within subcutaneous tissue of the cervical fascia
• It is an important anatomic landmark for surgical dissections of the neck

Origin

• Skin/fascia of infra- and supraclavicular regions

Insertion

• Lower border of mandible
• Skin of buccal/cheek region, lower lip, modiolus, orbicularis oris muscle

Innervation

• Cervical branch of facial nerve (CN VII)

Vascular Supply

• Submental artery
• Suprascapular artery

Actions

• Depresses mandible and angle of mouth
• Tenses skin of lower face and anterior neck

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Clinical Significance

Trauma

• Important landmark for penetrating trauma to the neck

Surgical

• Needs to be dissected to access deeper structures of the neck
• Needs to be carefully repaired to prevent platysma dyskinesia/ turkey neck

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See Also

• Neck Pain Main
• Neck Anatomy Main
• Physical Exam Neck

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