title: The platysma muscle in neck dissection.
abstract: Although the platysma muscle is usually preserved during neck dissection, removal of this muscle is generally considered inconsequential. The present case report shows that sacrifice of the cervical branch of the facial nerve innervating this muscle and removal of the platysma's upper portion impairs the caudal retraction and eversion of the ipsilateral half of the lower lip in grinning or laughing.
authors.affiliation: State University of New York at Buffalo, Kaleida Health, Buffalo, New York, 14209, USA. ckarakou@mfhs.edu
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Karakousis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000601:surgery*; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000601:surgery*