cervical branch of the facial nerve cervical branch of the facial nerve the cervical branch of the facial nerve is a nerve in the neck. it is a branch of the facial nerve (vii). it supplies the platysma muscle, among other functions. cervical branch of the facial nerveplan of the facial and intermediate nerves and their communication with other nerves. (labeled at center bottom, as "cervical".)the nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck. (cervical labeled at center, in dark region under jaw.)detailsfromfacial nerveinnervatesplatysma muscleidentifierslatinramus colli nervi facialista98a14.2.01.114ta26306fma53396anatomical terms of neuroanatomy structure the cervical branch of the facial nerve is a branch of the facial nerve (vii). it runs forward beneath the platysma muscle, and forms a series of arches across the side of the neck over the suprahyoid region. one branch descends to join the cervical cutaneous nerve from the cervical plexus. function the lateral part of the cervical branch of the facial nerve supplies the platysma muscle. additional images lateral head anatomy detail lateral head anatomy detail. dissection the newborn lateral head anatomy detail. facial nerve dissection.