Quick Facts
Origin: Frontal process of maxilla.
Insertion: Major alar cartilage of the nose and the upper lip.
Action: Elevates and everts upper lip; dilates nostrils.
Innervation: Zygomatic and buccal branches of facial nerve (CN VII).
Arterial Supply: Superior labial artery.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The levator nasolabialis muscle arises from the superior portion of the frontal process of the maxilla.
Insertion
The levator nasolabialis muscle runs inferolaterally, where the fibers divide into medial and lateral parts.
- The medial part of the attaches to the lateral portion of the major alar cartilage and the overlying subcutaneous tissue.
- The lateral part extends inferiorly and inserts into the upper lip where it blends with the surrounding muscles e.g., the orbicularis oris.
Actions
The lateral part of the levator nasolabialis elevates and everts the upper lip. The medial part dilates the nostrils (Standring, 2016).
List of Clinical Correlates
- Bell’s palsy
References
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.
