Levator labii superioris
| Levator labii superioris | |
|---|---|
upper lip | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | musculus levator labii superioris |
| TA98 | A04.1.03.031 |
| TA2 | 2081 |
| FMA | 46805 |
| Anatomical terms of muscle] | |
The levator labii superioris (pl.: levatores labii superioris, also called quadratus labii superioris, pl.: quadrati labii superioris) is a muscle of the human body used in facial expression. It is a broad sheet, the origin of which extends from the side of the nose to the zygomatic bone.[1]
Structure
Its medial fibers form the angular head (also known as the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle,[2]) which arises by a pointed extremity from the upper part of the frontal process of the maxilla and passing obliquely downward and lateralward divides into two slips.
One of these is inserted into the
The intermediate portion or infraorbital head arises from the lower margin of the orbit immediately above the infraorbital foramen, some of its fibers being attached to the maxilla, others to the zygomatic bone.
Its fibers converge, to be inserted into the muscular substance of the upper lip between the angular head and the levator anguli oris.
The lateral fibers, forming the zygomatic head (also known as the zygomaticus minor muscle[3]) arise from the malar surface of the zygomatic bone immediately behind the zygomaticomaxillary suture and pass downward and medialward to the upper lip.
Function
Its main function is to elevate the upper lip.[4]
See also
- Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
Additional images
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Left maxilla. Outer surface. -
Left zygomatic bone. Malar surface. -
The arteries of the face and scalp. -
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 383 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
- ISBN 978-0-19-976310-8.
- ISBN 978-0-19-976310-8.
- ^ Clinically Oriented Anatomy 6th ed by Moore & Dalley
