The cervical branch of the facial nerve is a nerve in the neck. It is a branch of the facial nerve (VII). It supplies the platysma muscle, among other functions.
Structure The cervical branch of the facial nerve is a branch of the facial nerve (VII). It runs forward beneath the platysma muscle, and forms a series of arches across the side of the neck over the suprahyoid region. One branch descends to join the cervical cutaneous nerve from the cervical plexus.
Function The lateral part of the cervical branch of the facial nerve supplies the platysma muscle.
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References This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 905 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
External links Anatomy photo:23:06-0102 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Branches of Facial Nerve (CN VII)" lesson4 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (parotid3) cranialnerves at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (VII) https://web.archive.org/web/20080921093026/http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_47/47-5.HTM