Abstract
There is controversy regarding the description of the different regions of the face of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) and its relationship with the superficial mimetic muscles. The purpose of this study is to analyze the development of the platysma muscle and the SMAS in human specimens at 8–17 weeks of development using an optical microscope. Furthermore, we propose to study the relationship of the anlage of the SMAS and the neighbouring superficial mimetic muscles. The facial musculature derives from the mesenchyme of the second arch and migrates towards the different regions of the face while forming premuscular laminae. During the 8th week of development, the cervical, infraorbital, mandibular, and temporal laminae are observed to be on the same plane. The platysma muscle derives from the cervical lamina and its mandibular extension enclosing the lower part of the parotid region and the cheek, while the SMAS derives from the upper region. During the period of development analyzed in this study, we have observed no continuity between the anlage of the SMAS and that of the superficial layer of the temporal fascia and the zygomaticus major muscle. Nor have we observed any structure similar to the SMAS in the labial region.
Highlights
Mitz and Peyronie [1] described the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) in the parotid and cheek regions in human adults
We have observed no continuity between the mandibular extension of the cervical lamina and the infraorbital lamina (Figures 1(a) and 1(b))
Our findings indicate that the lower part of the parotid region is enclosed by the platysma muscle, while the upper part of the parotid region is enclosed by the anlage of the SMAS
Summary
Mitz and Peyronie [1] described the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) in the parotid and cheek regions in human adults. Their description affirmed that the SMAS was located between the dermis and the facial muscles and divided the hypodermic fat into two layers. Superficial to the SMAS, small fat lobules were enclosed by fibrous septa running from the SMAS towards the dermis. Deep to the SMAS, the fat was abundant, lying between deep facial muscles and not divided by such fibrous septa. The term SMAS is generally accepted in scientific literature. It is not included in anatomical terminology [2]
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