The authors demonstrate by anatomical dissection that inaccuracies made by classical anatomists have worried plastic surgeons for many years. They demonstrate that continuity between the parotid fascia and the fibrous platysma has not been recognized. In addition, anatomists in the past have not been aware that the platysma is a unique type of fasciomuscular layer because in contrast to conventional anatomical opinions, the platysma has no bony attachment to the mandible.