Platysma

General information

Platysma is a broad thin sheet-like muscle situated superficially in the neck’s anterolateral region.

Literal meaning

The wide muscle.

Interesting information

Platysma band, also called turkey neck, is one of the first signs of neck ageing. This happens when there is a reduction in the tone of this muscle which causes it to thin and shorten.

This muscle is located very superficially in the neck’s subcutaneous tissue, compared to most of the other muscles in the body which are situated much deeper, below the subcutaneous tissue.

Origin

Skin/fascia of infra- and supraclavicular regions.

Insertion

Lower border of mandible, skin of buccal/cheek region, lower lip, modiolus, orbicularis oris muscle.

Function

Depresses mandible and angle of mouth, tenses skin of lower face and anterior neck.

Nerve supply

Cervical branch of facial nerve (CN VII).

Blood supply

Submental artery (facial artery), suprascapular artery (thyrocervical trunk).

Relevant research

None.

Platysma exercises

None.