Muscle
Levator veli palatini
Muscular sling that lifts the soft palate
High-yield
The standard motor pathway is CN X through the pharyngeal plexus. Unilateral vagal palatal weakness can leave the uvula pulled toward the stronger side during palatal elevation.
Overview
The two levator veli palatini muscles approach the soft palate from the skull base and auditory tubes. Their fibers form a sling across the palate that helps close the passage into the nasopharynx during swallowing and speech.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Petrous temporal bone and cartilage of the auditory tube
- Insertion
- Soft palate, blending across the midline and with the palatine aponeurosis
- Innervation
- Vagus nerve (CN X), through the pharyngeal plexus
- Action
- Raises the soft palate to help separate the nasal and oral pharynx during swallowing and speech
- Blood supply
- Ascending palatine branch of the facial artery and branches of the ascending pharyngeal artery
Frequently asked questions
What does the levator veli palatini do?
The levator veli palatini raises the soft palate to help separate the nasal and oral pharynx during swallowing and speech.
What nerve innervates the levator veli palatini?
The levator veli palatini is innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X), through the pharyngeal plexus.
Where does the levator veli palatini attach?
The levator veli palatini originates from the petrous temporal bone and cartilage of the auditory tube and inserts on the soft palate, blending across the midline and with the palatine aponeurosis.
What is the blood supply of the levator veli palatini?
The levator veli palatini is supplied by the ascending palatine branch of the facial artery and branches of the ascending pharyngeal artery.