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The platysma is a thin, sheet-like muscle that sits superficially within the anterior aspect of the neck. It is located close to the skin, covering most of the anterior and lateral aspects of the neck. The platysma is an important muscle for facial expressions, as it helps to produce a myriad of expressions by drawing the skin around the lower part of the mouth down or out, creasing the skin in the lower face. It is also responsible for opening the jaw. The platysma is supplied by the cervical branch of the facial nerve (CN VII). As people age, the platysma can shorten and thin, leading to sagging neck skin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Superficial layer of the neck |
| Appearance | Thin, sheet-like, rectangular |
| Origin | Upper thorax, clavicle, acromial region, pectoralis major and deltoid muscles |
| Insertion | Mandible, cheek skin, commissure of the mouth, orbicularis oris muscle, depressor anguli oris muscle, orbicularis oculi muscle |
| Function | Contributes to facial expressions, aids in oral care, helps in opening the jaw |
| Innervation | Facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), cervical branch, marginal mandibular nerve |
| Blood Supply | Submental branch of the facial artery, suprascapular branch of the thyrocervical trunk |
| Ageing | Laxity, redundancy, banding, thinning, shortening |
| Surgical Procedures | Neck lift, submentoplasty, platysmaplasty |
| Common Issues | Trigger points, synkinesis, injury to the great auricular nerve |
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What You'll Learn
Platysma muscle location
The platysma muscle is a thin, sheet-like muscle that lies superficially within the anterior aspect of the neck. It is a subcutaneous structure, located within the superficial layer of the cervical fascia.
The platysma originates from the fascia that covers the clavicle, the acromial region, and the superior portions of the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles. It passes over the clavicle and ascends through the anterolateral sides of the neck, crossing the external and anterior jugular veins. The platysma has several insertion points, including the mandible, the skin and muscles of the lower face, and the subcutaneous tissue of the perioral region.
The platysma is divided into two sections, right and left, which may meet in the midline or have a small gap between them. It is encased within the "platysma fascia", which is distinct from the superficial cervical fascia. The platysma fascia provides good purchase of the muscle during surgical procedures such as platysmaplasty or platysma flaps, where the adherence of the fascia to the muscle is crucial to prevent shredding of the muscle fibers.
The platysma muscle is vulnerable to neck injuries due to its superficial and thin nature. It is an important landmark in penetrating trauma to the neck, and its knowledge is essential during surgical dissections of the neck to avoid underlying neurovascular structures.
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Platysma muscle function
The platysma is a superficial neck muscle, located close to the skin. It is a thin, sheet-like muscle that lies within the subcutaneous tissue of the neck. It is a voluntary muscle, innervated by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), with its primary innervation being the cervical branch.
The platysma muscle is a long, flat muscle that spans from the collarbone to the lower face. It originates in the upper thoracic and shoulder regions, covering the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles. It then ascends over the anterolateral aspect of the neck, attaching to the mandible and the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the lower face. The muscle inserts on the mandible, cheek skin, commissure of the mouth, and the orbicularis oris muscle.
The main function of the platysma is to aid in producing facial expressions. It is responsible for drawing the skin around the lower part of the mouth down or out, creasing the skin in the lower face. It helps with a range of facial movements, including frowning, kissing, and sipping beverages. Without the platysma muscle, making distinct facial movements using the lower mouth would be difficult.
The platysma also plays a role in opening the jaw and contributes to oral care by helping to hold certain positions with the mouth when brushing teeth. Additionally, it contributes to the formation of the modiolus, a fibromuscular chiasm of facial muscles found in the corners of the mouth. The platysma blends with the depressor anguli oris and depressor labi inferioris muscles, reinforcing their actions.
Aging can cause the platysma muscle to shorten and thin, leading to sagging neck skin. Surgical procedures, such as neck lifts, often target this muscle to tighten and resuspend it.
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Platysma muscle anatomy
The platysma is a superficial neck muscle, located within the subcutaneous tissue of the neck. It is a thin, sheet-like muscle, situated within the superficial layer of the cervical fascia. It is one of 42 muscles in the face and plays an important role in facial expressions and functions.
The platysma is a long, flat muscle that spans from the collarbone to the lower face. It originates in the upper thorax, arising from the fascia that covers the clavicle and the upper portions of the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles. It then ascends through the anterolateral sides of the neck, passing over the clavicle and the external and anterior jugular veins.
The platysma has several insertion points. Its medial fibers insert into the mandible, the skin of the lower lip, and the cheek skin. The lateral fibers attach to the muscles surrounding the mouth, including the orbicularis oris muscle and the depressor anguli oris and depressor labi inferioris muscles. The platysma contributes to the formation of the modiolus, a fibromuscular chiasm of facial muscles found in the corners of the mouth.
The platysma is innervated by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), with the cervical branch being the primary source of innervation. It receives arterial blood supply from the submental branch of the facial artery and the suprascapular branch of the thyrocervical trunk.
As a person ages, the platysma can shorten and thin, leading to sagging neck skin. This muscle is often targeted in neck lift procedures to tighten and improve the appearance of the neck.
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Platysma muscle insertion
The platysma is a thin, sheet-like muscle that lies superficially within the anterior aspect of the neck. It is located within the subcutaneous tissue of the neck, which is a layer of the cervical fascia. This muscle is responsible for producing a myriad of facial expressions. It arises in the upper thoracic and shoulder regions from a fascia that covers the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles.
The platysma has several insertion points. Its medial fibres insert onto the lower border of the mandible or the skin of the lower lip. The lateral fibres of the platysma attach to the skin and subcutaneous tissue around the mouth, as well as to the muscles surrounding the mouth. The platysma also blends with the depressor anguli oris and depressor labii inferioris muscles, reinforcing their actions.
The platysma is unique in that it is situated within the subcutaneous tissue of the neck, unlike other muscles that lie deeper. This superficial location has important implications for surgical dissections of the neck, as underlying neurovascular structures must be carefully considered. The platysma can be seen bulging out during strenuous physical activity, and it is thought that this mechanism prevents the compression of the jugular veins and soft tissues of the neck.
The platysma muscle can be vulnerable to tears, strains, and muscle atrophy, as well as penetrating trauma to the neck due to its superficial and thin nature. In neck surgery, the platysma muscle usually needs to be cut through to access deeper structures, and accurate suturing is necessary to prevent abnormal scarring. Adipose tissue found above the platysma muscle allows for liposuction of the neck to be performed without piercing the muscle.
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Platysma muscle and ageing
The platysma is a thin, sheet-like muscle that lies superficially within the anterior aspect of the neck. It is contained within the superficial cervical fascia, a zone of loose connective tissue between the dermis and deep cervical fascia. The platysma is derived from the second branchial arch and is the most superficial muscle layer in the face.
As we age, the platysma muscle fibres tighten and contract, causing the edges of the muscle to curl inward. This process of ageing results in the thinning and shortening of the platysma muscle, leading to the first signs of neck ageing, commonly known as "turkey neck". The thinning of the platysma with age is a well-known phenomenon, and it is often noted that cervical platysmal bands recur after a traditional facelift procedure.
The platysma is responsible for various functions, including helping us chew, talk, and make facial expressions. Despite being a relatively inconspicuous muscle, the platysma plays a crucial role in maintaining the firmness and definition of our neck and jawline. As the platysma is situated within the subcutaneous tissue of the neck, its ageing process can result in sagging and wrinkly skin in the neck region.
There are several theories for the appearance of platysmal bands with age, including skin laxity, loss of platysmal tone, and detachment of the platysma from deeper attachments. A more recent theory suggests that the platysma becomes hyperkinetic, making it more prominent in the form of bands, which secondarily cause skin laxity. The ageing of the platysma muscle can be targeted with treatments such as the "Nefertiti Neck Lift", which involves injecting a small dose of Botox along the jawline to prevent the muscle from pulling down on the skin.
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Frequently asked questions
The platysma is a thin, sheet-like muscle that sits just beneath the subcutaneous fat in the neck. It is a superficial muscle, meaning it is located close to the skin.
The platysma muscle spans from the collarbone to the lower face, extending through the front and sides of the neck. It is also referred to as a neck muscle.
The platysma muscle is responsible for various facial expressions, particularly those involving the lower part of the mouth. It helps with opening the jaw and drawing the skin around the mouth downward or outward, allowing for expressions like frowning, kissing, or sipping beverages.
The platysma contributes to a range of facial expressions, which are key to human communication and conveying thoughts and feelings. Additionally, its superficial location makes it relevant in surgical procedures, especially neck lifts, where it is targeted to tighten sagging neck skin.
