Levator labii superioris muscle
Last revised by Reabal Najjar
on 3 Jul 2023
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Bell D, Najjar R, Yap J, et al. Levator labii superioris muscle. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 08 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-92493
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rID:
92493
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Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Daniel J Bell had no recorded disclosures.
View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures
Last revised:
3 Jul 2023,
Reabal Najjar
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Reabal Najjar had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Reabal Najjar's current disclosures
Revisions:
6 times, by
4 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
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Synonyms:
- Levator labii superioris muscles
- Musculus levator labii superioris
The levator labii superioris (LLS) muscle (TA synonym: musculus levator labii superioris) is one of the elevators of the upper lip, a subset of the facial muscles.
It is not to be confused with the levator labii superioris alaeque nasalis muscle, which has a very similar name, at least partially covers it, and extends and inserts medial to it.
On this page:
Summary
- origin: inferior orbital rim of maxilla
- insertion: upper lip (vermillion border)
- innervation: facial nerve (VII)
- action: raises upper lip
Gross anatomy
The levator labii superioris muscle originates from the maxilla that forms the inferior aspect of the orbit. It passes down over the infraorbital foramen, from which the infraorbital nerve exits, and extends inferiorly to attach into the vermillion margin of the upper lip 1-3.
The levator labii superioris muscles were found in a cadaveric study to be symmetric when left and right sides were compared, with similar anatomies in the sexes 3.
Arterial supply
Venous drainage
Innervation
Action
- key elevator of the upper lip
- primary muscle responsible for maintenance of the philtrum ridges and Cupid bow of the superior vermillion border 6
References
- 1. Chummy S. Sinnatamby. Last's Anatomy. (2020) ISBN: 9780702033957
- 2. Richard S. Snell. Clinical anatomy for medical students. (1992)
- 3. Hwang WS, Hur MS, Hu KS, Song WC, Koh KS, Baik HS, Kim ST, Kim HJ, Lee KJ. Surface anatomy of the lip elevator muscles for the treatment of gummy smile using botulinum toxin. (2009) The Angle orthodontist. 79 (1): 70-7. doi:10.2319/091407-437.1 - Pubmed
- 4. FIPAT. Terminologia Anatomica. 2nd Ed. FIPAT.library.dal.ca. Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology, 2019. https://fipat.library.dal.ca/TA2/
- 5. Hutto JR, Vattoth S. A practical review of the muscles of facial mimicry with special emphasis on the superficial musculoaponeurotic system. (2015) AJR. American journal of roentgenology. 204 (1): W19-26. doi:10.2214/AJR.14.12857 - Pubmed
- 6. Latham RA, Deaton TG. The structural basis of the philtrum and the contour of the vermilion border: a study of the musculature of the upper lip. (1976) Journal of anatomy. 121 (Pt 1): 151-60. Pubmed
Incoming Links
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