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The levator labii superioris (pl. ''levatores labii superioris'', also called quadratus labii superioris, pl. ''quadrati labii superioris'') is a
muscle Skeletal muscles (commonly referred to as muscles) are organs of the vertebrate muscular system and typically are attached by tendons to bones of a skeleton. The muscle cells of skeletal muscles are much longer than in the other types of muscl ...
of the
human body The human body is the structure of a Human, human being. It is composed of many different types of Cell (biology), cells that together create Tissue (biology), tissues and subsequently organ systems. They ensure homeostasis and the life, viabi ...
used in facial expression. It is a broad sheet, the origin of which extends from the side of the nose to the zygomatic bone.


Structure

Its medial fibers form the ''angular head'' (also known as the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle,) 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 greater alar cartilage and skin of the nose; the other is prolonged into the lateral part of the upper lip, blending with the infraorbital head and with the orbicularis oris. 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) 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.Clinically Oriented Anatomy 6th ed by Moore & Dalley


See also

* Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi


Additional images

File:Sobo 1909 262.png File:Sobo 1909 264.png File:Gray157.png, Left maxilla. Outer surface. File:Gray165.png, Left zygomatic bone. Malar surface. File:Gray508.png, The arteries of the face and scalp. File:Frontalis muscle animation small.gif


References


External links


PTCentral
{{Authority control Muscles of the head and neck