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- Right click on the image for a downloadable file of this muscle.
- Use of this artwork requires proper credit to be given (Permission: Dr. Joe Muscolino. www.learnmuscles.com – art work Giovanni Rimasti)
The Platysma is primarily located in the neck, but is a muscle of facial expression of the lower face and mouth. The muscles of facial expression of the mouth are:
- Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi (also a muscle of fascial expression of the nose)
- Levator Labii Superioris
- Zygomaticus Minor
- Zygomaticus Major
- Levator Anguli Oris
- Risorius
- Depressor Anguli Oris
- Depressor Labii Inferioris
- Mentalis
- Buccinator
- Orbicularis Oris
- Platysma
ATTACHMENTS:
- Fascia of the upper chest and neck to the mandible and fascia of the lower face.
ACTIONS:
- Creates wrinkles in the neck.
- Depresses and draws laterally the lower lip.
- Depresses the mandible at the temporomandibular joints (TMJs)
NOTES:
- The platysma is considered to be the remnant of a muscle in quadrupeds called the panniculus carnosus. This muscle enables four-legged animals to shake off flies and other insects.
- Contraction of the platysma creates the characteristic expression of the monster from the film The Creature from the Black Lagoon.
