The levator veli palatini () is the elevator
muscle of the
soft palate
The soft palate (also known as the velum, palatal velum, or muscular palate) is, in mammals, the soft tissue constituting the back of the roof of the mouth. The soft palate is part of the palate of the mouth; the other part is the hard 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
The pharynx (plural: pharynges) is the part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity, and above the oesophagus and trachea (the tubes going down to the stomach and the lungs). It is found in vertebrates and invertebrates, though its struct ...
.
Structure
The levator veli palatini muscle is found in the
soft palate
The soft palate (also known as the velum, palatal velum, or muscular palate) is, in mammals, the soft tissue constituting the back of the roof of the mouth. The soft palate is part of the palate of the mouth; the other part is the hard palate. ...
of the
mouth. It arises from the under surface of the apex of the petrous part of the
temporal bone
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex.
The temporal bones are overlaid by the sides of the head known as the temples, and house the structures of the ears. ...
, and from the surface inferolateral to the medial lamina of the cartilage of the
Eustachian tube. It does not connect with the medial lamina.
It passes above the upper concave margin of the
superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle. It spreads out in the
palatine velum
The soft palate (also known as the velum, palatal velum, or muscular palate) is, in mammals, the soft tissue constituting the back of the roof of the mouth. The soft palate is part of the palate of the mouth; the other part is the hard palate. T ...
, 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
The choanae (singular choana), posterior nasal apertures or internal nostrils are two openings found at the back of the nasal passage between the nasal cavity and the throat in tetrapods, including humans and other mammals (as well as crocodilia ...
.
Nerve supply
The levator veli palatini muscle is supplied by the
pharyngeal plexus, which is supplied by the
vagus nerve
The vagus nerve, also known as the tenth cranial nerve, cranial nerve X, or simply CN X, is a cranial nerve that interfaces with the parasympathetic control of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. It comprises two nerves—the left and righ ...
(CN X).
Function
The levator veli palatini muscle elevates the soft palate during
swallowing. This helps to prevent food from entering the
nasopharynx
The pharynx (plural: pharynges) is the part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity, and above the oesophagus and trachea (the tubes going down to the stomach and the lungs). It is found in vertebrates and invertebrates, though its struct ...
. Its action may be slightly slower than its partner, the
tensor veli palatini muscle
The tensor veli palatini muscle (tensor palati or tensor muscle of the velum palatinum) is a broad, thin, ribbon-like muscle in the head that tenses the soft palate.
Structure
The tensor veli palatini is found anterior-lateral to the levator v ...
.
Additional images
Image:Gray141.png, Left temporal bone. Inferior surface.
References
External links
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{{Authority control
Muscles of the head and neck
Pharynx