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Levator labii superioris aleque nasi
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculus levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Branchial arch muscle – second arch (Facial muscle)
Etymology
The English for this muscle name is the muscle from the wing of the nose that lifts the upper lip. Levator comes from the Latin levare meaning “to lift.”labium is the Latin term for “lip.”The Latin term superior is derived from the Latin super meaning “above.”The word alaeque comes from the Latin ala meaning “wing.”Nasi is from nassus the Latin term for “nose.”
Origin
Anterior surface of the frontal process of the maxilla
Insertion
Medial slip attaches to the greater alar cartilage of the nose and the lateral slip blends with the fibers of the orbicularis oris in the lateral part of the upper lip
Action
The lateral fibers of the muscle assist in raising the upper lip, while also raising and deepening the nasolabial furrow. The more medial fibers assist in dilating the nasal opening and in flaring the alar cartilages.
Nerve supply
Facial nerve (Cranial nerve VII)
Blood supply
Terminal part of the facial artery and lateral nasal branch of the superior labial branch from the facial artery.