Its fibers cross the clavicle, and proceed obliquely upward and medially along the side of the neck.

This leaves the inferior part of the neck in the midline deficient of significant muscle cover.

Fibres at the back of the muscle cross the mandible, some being inserted into the bone below the oblique line, others into the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the lower part of the face.

Beneath the platysma, the external jugular vein descends from the angle of the mandible to the clavicle.

When the entire platysma muscle is in action, it produces a slight wrinkling of the surface of the skin of the neck in an oblique direction (at an angle to the midline).

It creates a distinctive "bowstring" effect on either side of the neck, where fibres move away from the midline.

[7] When neck surgery is performed, the platysma muscle usually needs to be cut through to access deeper structures.

[9] Adipose tissue is found above the platysma muscle, so liposuction of the neck may be performed fairly easily without the need to pierce it.