The 'levator veli palatini' is a
muscle of the
human body. During swallowing, it contracts, elevating the
soft palate to help prevent food from entering the
nasopharynx. It is innervated via the
pharyngeal plexus, primarily by the
vagus nerve (CN X).
The Levator veli palatini (Levator palati) is a thick, rounded muscle situated lateral to the
choanæ.
It arises from the under surface of the apex of the petrous part of the
temporal bone and from the medial lamina of the cartilage of the
auditory tube.
After passing above the upper concave margin of the
Constrictor pharyngis superior it spreads out in the
palatine velum, its fibers extending obliquely downward and medialward to the middle line, where they blend with those of the opposite side.
Additional images
External links
★
★
★
★