platysma

[ pluh-tiz-muh ]

/ pləˈtɪz mə /

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noun, plural pla·tys·mas, pla·tys·ma·ta

[pluh-tiz-muh-tuh], /pləˈtɪz mə tə/, Anatomy.

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.

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Origin of platysma

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

Words nearby platysma

platypellic pelvis, platypnea, platypod, platypus, platyrrhine, platysma, platyspondylia, plaudit, Plauen, plausible, plausive

How to use platysma in a sentence

The platysma myoides, which is well developed on the neck, belongs to this system, but cannot be voluntarily brought into action.
The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, Vol. I (1st edition)|Charles Darwin
On cutting through the skin and platysma some small veins may be met with: they should be clamped with forceps and divided.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4)|Various
I find, to my surprise, whenever I act thus my platysma contracts.
The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, Volume II (of II)|Charles Darwin
It must include skin, fascia, and platysma, and the flap must be thrown upwards.
A Manual of the Operations of Surgery|Joseph Bell

In only four of the cases was the platysma visibly contracted; and it did not begin to contract until the patients began to cry.
The Expression of Emotion in Man and Animals|Charles Darwin

Medical definitions for platysma

platysma

[ plə-tĭz′mə ]

n. pl. pla•tys•mas

A platelike muscle in the neck extending to the lower face with origin from the subcutaneous layer and fascia covering the greater pectoral and deltoid muscles at the level of the first or second rib, with insertion to the mandible, the risorius muscle and platysma of the opposite side, with nerve supply from a branch of the facial nerve, and whose action depresses the lower lip and wrinkles the skin of the neck and the upper chest.