Quick Facts
Origin: Inferior division of the facial nerve.
Course: Runs inferiorly and slightly anteriorly through the parotid gland down below the mandible and into the neck.
Branches: None.
Supply: Motor innervation to the platysma muscle.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The cervical branch of the facial nerve originates when the inferior division of the facial nerve splits. This occurs in the substance of the parotid gland.
Course
From its origin, the cervical branch of the facial nerve runs inferiorly and slightly anteriorly out of the parotid gland. It follows the posterior edge of the ramus of the mandible down, passing below the mandible and entering the neck.
Branches
There are no named branches.
Supplied Structures
The cervical branch of the facial nerve is a motor nerve that innervates the platysma muscle. It sends branchial motor efferents.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Facial Nerve
The facial nerve is the main motor pathway for the corneal and palpebral reflexes.
