It is a branch of the facial nerve (VII).

It supplies the platysma muscle, among other functions.

It runs forward beneath the platysma muscle, and forms a series of arches across the side of the neck over the suprahyoid region.

The lateral part of the cervical branch of the facial nerve supplies the platysma muscle.

[1][2] This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 905 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918) This neuroanatomy article is a stub.