Levator veli palatini
The levator veli palatini (/lɪˈveɪtər ˈviːlaɪ ˌpæləˈtaɪnaɪ/) is the elevator muscle of the soft palate in the human body. It is supplied via the pharyngeal plexus. During swallowing, it contracts, elevating the soft palate to help prevent food from entering the nasopharynx.
| Levator veli palatini | |
|---|---|
 Dissection of the muscles of the palate from behind. (Caption for Levator veli palatini visible at right, second from the top.) | |
 External and middle ear, opened from the front. Right side. (Levator veli palatini visible at bottom right.) | |
| Details | |
| Origin | temporal bone, Eustachian tube |
| Insertion | palatine aponeurosis |
| Artery | facial artery |
| Nerve | Pharyngeal Branch of Vagus (CN X) |
| Actions | elevates soft palate |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | musculus levator veli palatini |
| TA98 | A05.2.01.102 |
| TA2 | 2128 |
| FMA | 46727 |
| Anatomical terms of muscle | |
Structure
The levator veli palatini muscle is found in the soft palate of the mouth. It arises from the under surface of the apex of the petrous part of the temporal bone, and from the surface inferolateral to the medial lamina of the cartilage of the Eustachian tube. It does not connect with the medial lamina.[1] It passes above the upper concave margin of the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle. It spreads out in the palatine velum, its fibers extending obliquely downward and medially to the middle line, where they blend with those of the opposite side. It lies lateral to the choana.
Nerve supply
The levator veli palatini muscle is supplied by the pharyngeal plexus, which is supplied by the vagus nerve (CN X).
Function
The levator veli palatini muscle elevates the soft palate during swallowing. This helps to prevent food from entering the nasopharynx. Its action may be slightly slower than its partner, the tensor veli palatini muscle.[1]
Additional images
Left temporal bone. Inferior surface.
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1139 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- Ishijima, Ken; Sando, Isamu; Miura, Makoto; Balaban, Carey D.; Takasaki, Kenji (2002-06-01). "Functional Anatomy of Levator Veli Palatini Muscle and Tensor Veli Palatini Muscle in Association with Eustachian Tube Cartilage". Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 111 (6): 530–536. doi:10.1177/000348940211100609. ISSN 0003-4894.
External links
- "Anatomy diagram: 25420.000-1". Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator. Elsevier. Archived from the original on 2014-01-01.