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Basics Upper limb Lower limb Spine and back Thorax Abdomen Pelvis and perineum Head and neck Neuroanatomy Cross sections Radiological anatomy
Histology
Types of tissues
ArticlesAnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpLevator anguli oris muscle
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ArticlesAnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpLevator anguli oris muscle

Levator anguli oris muscle

Author: Jana Vasković, MD • Reviewer: Nicola McLaren, MSc
Last reviewed: November 03, 2023
Reading time: 3 minutes

Recommended video: Muscles of facial expression [12:24]
Overview of the muscles responsible for facial expression.
Levator anguli oris muscle (Musculus levator anguli oris)

Levator anguli oris is a paired strap-like muscle of the face, located above the angles of the lips. It belongs to a large group of muscles of facial expression called the buccolabial group. Besides levator anguli oris, this group also contains levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, levator labii superioris, zygomaticus major, zygomaticus minor, risorius, depressor labii inferioris, depressor anguli oris, mentalis, orbicularis oris, incisivus superior and inferior, and buccinator muscles.

Like all the buccolabial muscles, levator anguli oris’ function contributes to producing facial expressions by controlling the shape, position and movements of the lips. Specifically, it does so by elevating the angle of the mouth and deepening the nasolabial lines, facilitating smiling.

Key facts about the levator anguli oris muscle
Origin Canine fossa of maxilla
Insertion Modiolus
Action Elevates angle of mouth
Innervation Zygomatic and buccal branches of facial nerve (CN VII)
Blood supply Superior labial branch of facial artery, infraorbital branch of maxillary artery

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of levator anguli oris muscle.

Contents
  1. Origin and insertion
  2. Relations
  3. Innervation
  4. Blood supply
  5. Function
  6. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and insertion

Levator anguli oris originates from the canine fossa of maxilla, inferior to the infraorbital foramen. After a short inferior course, it blends with the modiolus at the angle of the lips. 

Modiolus is a fibromuscular nodule at the angle of the mouth formed by at least nine muscles. It serves as an attachment hub for most of the buccolabial muscles, thus integrating the movements of the lips with those of the jaw and cheeks. It’s exact characterization varies across different textbooks but it’s sure that the direct tractors of the lips contribute to modiolus; zygomaticus major, depressor anguli oris and orbicularis oris.

Relations

Levator anguli oris muscle
Musculus levator anguli oris
1/2
Synonyms: Caninus muscle, Musculus caninus

Levator anguli oris lies deep, and lateral, to levator labii superioris. These two muscles bound the infraorbital tissue space (canine space), which is clinically significant as odontogenic infections may spread into it. Infraorbital nerve and vessels pass between the bony attachments of levator anguli oris and levator labii superioris on their way to the face. 

Do you find it difficult to memorize the muscles of facial expression? Ease your learning, consolidate the material and review efficiently using Kenhub's muscle anatomy and reference charts!

Innervation

Zygomatic and buccal branches of facial nerve (CN VII) innervate the levator anguli oris muscle.

Blood supply

Blood supply to the depressor labii inferioris muscle comes from the superior labial branch of facial artery and infraorbital branch of maxillary artery.

Zygomatic branches of facial nerve
Rami zygomatici nervi facialis
1/4
Synonyms: none

Function

Levator anguli oris elevates the angle of lips, which deepens the nasolabial folds and enables smiling.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

  • Brennan, P. A., Mahadevan, V., & Evans, B. T. (2016). Clinical head and neck anatomy for surgeons. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group
  • Hiatt, J. L., & Gartner, L. P. (2010). Textbook of head and neck anatomy (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Palastanga, N., & Soames, R. (2012). Anatomy and human movement: structure and function (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

Illustrators:

  • Levator anguli oris muscle (Musculus levator anguli oris) - Yousun Koh

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