ArticlesAnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpLevator labii superioris muscle

ArticlesAnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpLevator labii superioris muscle

Levator labii superioris muscle

Author: Jana Vasković, MD • Reviewer: Nicola McLaren, MSc
Last reviewed: November 03, 2023
Reading time: 4 minutes

Levator labii superioris muscle (Musculus levator labii superioris)

Levator labii superioris is a short, paired triangular muscle of the face. It belongs to the buccolabial group of muscles of facial expression. This is a broad group of muscles, that besides levator labii superioris also contains levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, zygomaticus major, zygomaticus minor, levator anguli oris, risorius, depressor labii inferioris, depressor anguli oris, mentalis, orbicularis oris, incisivus superior and inferior, and buccinator muscles.

Buccolabial muscles work in synergy to control the shape, posture and movements of the lips. Levator labii superioris contributes to that by elevating the upper lip and thus exposing the maxillary teeth. By performing this action, the muscle helps to produce various facial expressions, such as smiling or disdain.

Key facts about the levator labii superioris muscle
Origin	Zygomatic process of maxilla, maxillary process of zygomatic bone
Insertion	Blends with muscles of upper lip
Action	Elevates upper lip, exposes maxillary teeth
Innervation	Zygomatic and buccal branches of facial nerve (CN VII)
Blood supply	Facial artery, infraorbital branch of maxillary artery

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of levator labii superioris muscle.

Contents

Origin and insertion
Relations
Innervation
Blood supply
Function
Sources

+ Show all

Origin and insertion

Levator labii superioris originates from the zygomatic process of maxilla and maxillary process of zygomatic bone, just superior to the infraorbital foramen. It courses inferomedially towards the upper lip, gradually tapering and becoming triangular in shape. It inserts between the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, orbicularis oris and zygomaticus minor by blending with the muscles of the upper lip.

Relations

Levator labii superioris fills the bottom of a triangular space bounded laterally by the zygomaticus minor and medially by the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi. Lateral and deep to levator labii superioris is the levator anguli oris. These two muscles bound a narrow interval called the infraorbital tissue space (canine space). This space is clinically significant as it is a predilection site for spreading odontogenic infections.

Innervation

Levator labii superioris is innervated by the zygomatic and buccal branches of facial nerve (CN VII).

Blood supply

Vascular supply to this muscle is provided by the facial artery and infraorbital branch of maxillary artery.

Function

Together with zygomaticus minor and levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, this muscle is a direct tractor of the upper lip. This means that it inserts to the lip directly, thus acting upon it without the use of an intermediary. By contracting, levator labii superioris helps other buccolabial muscles to elevate and invert the upper lip. This action exposes the maxillary teeth and deepens the nasolabial lines, which has an important function in several facial expressions; smiling, smugness and contempt.

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.

Illustrations:

Levator labii superioris muscle (Musculus levator labii superioris) - Yousun Koh

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