Platysma
MuscularSuperficial musclesWhole bodyLeft and right
View left in 3D View right in 3D
- What it is
- Very thin broad muscle sheet in the superficial fascia of the neck, running from the fascia over the upper pectoralis major and deltoid, across the clavicle, up to the lower border of the mandible and the skin of the lower face.
- Function
- Tenses the skin of the neck and pulls the corners of the mouth and the lower lip downwards (grimace of horror or strain).
- Size
- About 15 cm long and under 2 mm thick.
- Clinical note
- With age its medial edges separate into visible vertical "platysmal bands"; it is closed as a separate layer when suturing neck incisions.