Texas Esthetician License Practice Exam

Which nerve affects the side of the neck and the platysma muscle?

1. Cervical nerve

2. Facial nerve

3. Accessory nerve

4. Vagus nerve

The correct answer is: Cervical nerve

The cervical nerve is indeed the correct choice as it is responsible for providing sensory and motor innervation to the neck area, including the platysma muscle, which is a thin, flat muscle that runs from the chest and shoulder up to the lower jaw. The cervical nerves emerge from the spinal cord and branch out to supply various neck structures, playing a crucial role in the movement and sensation of the neck. Understanding the function of the cervical nerve is essential for estheticians because it can influence treatments that affect the neck area, like massages or skin care applications. Knowledge of how the platysma and surrounding muscles operate can also guide practitioners in assessing muscle tone and skin elasticity during procedures. The other nerves mentioned have different primary functions. The facial nerve primarily deals with the muscles of facial expression but does not innervate the platysma muscle. The accessory nerve is mainly involved in motor functions to the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, while the vagus nerve primarily regulates functions in the thoracic and abdominal cavities and is not directly related to the muscles in the neck.