Muscle
Platysma
Muscle of facial expression (neck)
High-yield
Muscle of facial expression → facial nerve (CN VII, cervical branch), not a strap muscle.
Overview
A broad superficial sheet of muscle in the neck, a muscle of facial expression that tenses the neck skin and depresses the lower lip.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Fascia over the pectoralis major and deltoid
- Insertion
- Mandible, skin of the lower face, and angle of the mouth
- Action
- Tenses the skin of the neck; depresses the mandible and angle of the mouth (grimacing)
- Innervation
- Cervical branch of the facial nerve (CN VII)
- Blood supply
- Submental / suprascapular arteries
Frequently asked questions
What does the platysma do?
The platysma tenses the skin of the neck; depresses the mandible and angle of the mouth (grimacing).
What nerve innervates the platysma?
The platysma is innervated by the cervical branch of the facial nerve (CN VII).
Where does the platysma attach?
The platysma originates from the fascia over the pectoralis major and deltoid and inserts on the mandible, skin of the lower face, and angle of the mouth.
What is the blood supply of the platysma?
The platysma is supplied by the submental / suprascapular arteries.