platysma

[ pluh-tiz-muh ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural pla·tys·mas, pla·tys·ma·ta [pl, uh, -, tiz, -m, uh, -t, uh],

1. a broad, thin muscle on each side of the neck, extending from the upper part of the shoulder to the corner of the mouth, the action of which wrinkles the skin of the neck and depresses the corner of the mouth.

Word History and Origins

Origin of platysma¹

1685–95; < New Latin < Greek plátysma a plate, literally, something wide and flat, equivalent to platý ( nein ) to widen (derivative of platýs; platy- ) + -sma, variant of -ma resultative suffix

Example Sentences

One of the regular subjects, a toothless old man with nerve damage so severe that he could not feel the electrodes, is having his left platysma muscle “electrized.”

From The New Yorker

The platysma myoides, which is well developed on the neck, belongs to this system, but cannot be voluntarily brought into action.

From Project Gutenberg

In all cases the contraction of the platysma causes the wound to gape widely, and its edges tend to be turned in.

From Project Gutenberg

Cautiously divide skin, platysma, and fascia; the lower end of the parotid must be pulled upwards, and the veins, which are numerous, cautiously separated.

From Project Gutenberg

He could throw into energetic single action the biceps, the supinator longus, the radial extensors, the platysma myoides, and many other muscles.

From Project Gutenberg