Get Started
Home › Basics › Levator anguli oris

Levator anguli oris

Medically Reviewed by Anatomy Team

  • Last updated on January 16, 2025

Table of Contents

Levator anguli oris, also known as the levator labii superioris, is a facial muscle located in the head and neck region.[3]It is a thin, narrow muscle that originates from the zygomatic bone and inserts into the skin and muscle of the upper lip.

Structure

The levator anguli oris is a thin, narrow muscle that is located in the head and neck region. It originates from the zygomatic bone and inserts into the skin and muscle of the upper lip. The muscle is innervated by the facial nerve (CN VII) and is classified as a mixed muscle, meaning it contains both striated and smooth muscle fibers.[2]

Location

The levator anguli oris is located in the head and neck region, specifically in the area of the upper lip.[1] It is situated below the orbicularis oris muscle and above the depressor labii inferioris muscle.[6]

Function

The main function of the levator anguli oris is to elevate the upper lip, which is important for facial expressions such as smiling and sneering. [4]It also helps to create wrinkles on the upper lip, which can enhance facial expression.

Clinical Significance

Injury or damage to the levator anguli oris can lead to facial asymmetry or difficulty in making certain facial expressions.[5] Facial muscle weakness or paralysis can also occur as a result of damage to the facial nerve (CN VII), which innervates the levator anguli oris muscle.

In addition, the levator anguli oris can be targeted in cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections to reduce wrinkles and fine lines on the upper lip. However, care must be taken to avoid injecting the muscle too much, as this can lead to a “frozen” or unnatural appearance.

References

  1. Snell, R. S. (2012). Clinical Anatomy by Regions (9th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN: 9781451110326.
  2. Hollinshead, W. H., & Rosse, C. (1985). Textbook of Anatomy (4th ed.). Harper & Row. ISBN: 9780061402005.
  3. Testut, L., & Latarjet, A. (1977). Traité d’Anatomie Humaine (8th ed.). Doin. ISBN: 9782224000514.
  4. Romer, A. S., & Parsons, T. S. (1986). The Vertebrate Body (6th ed.). Saunders. ISBN: 9780039102845.
  5. Clemente, C. D. (2010). Anatomy: A Regional Atlas of the Human Body (6th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. ISBN: 9781609134464.
  6. Williams, P. L., Dyson, M., Dussault, R. J., & Bannister, L. H. (1999). Human Anatomy (3rd ed.). Elsevier. ISBN: 9780723419975.
  7. Kaplan, P. E. (1981). Anatomy and Human Movement: Structure and Function. Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN: 9780407001105.
  8. Cunningham, D. J., & Romanes, G. J. (1981). Cunningham’s Manual of Practical Anatomy (15th ed., Vol. 3). Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780192631380.