Platysma muscle

Authors

Affiliations

Nathaniel Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

the platysma is the most superficial mm in cervical region. The platysma covers the pec and deltoid and extends to inferior margin of body of mandible. It functions as one of the muscles of facial expression and can restrain head extension.

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Nerve	Action
Platysma muscle	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Head and Neck/Muscles of Facial Expression/platysma.html#origin	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Head and Neck/Muscles of Facial Expression/platysma.html#insertion	?var:ref-platysma.nerve	/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Head and Neck/Muscles of Facial Expression/platysma.html#action

Anatomy

Overview

Origin

Skin over lower neck and upper lateral thorax¹

Insertion

Mandible (inf border), Skin over lower face, Angle of mouth¹

Variations

The above information is the usual presentation of the platysma, but there are many anatomical variations.

• A hybrid muscle that is the combination of the SCM and platysma²

Innervation

Facial Nerve CN VII¹

Action

Depresses and wrinkles skin of lower face and mouth; Tenses skin of neck; Aids in forced depression of the mandible¹

Clinical Significance

1.

Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.

2.

Donnelly JM, Simons DG, eds. Travell, Simons & Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. Third edition. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2019.