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In humans, levator muscles are those that raise a body part. These include the levator anguli oris, which raises the corner of the mouth; the levator ani, a thin sheet of muscle that stretches across the pelvic cavity; the levatores costarum, which help raise the ribs during respiration; the levator labii superioris and levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, which raise the upper lip; the levator palpebrae superioris, which raises the upper eyelid; the levator prostatae, which supports the prostate gland and is involved in controlling urination; the levator scapulae, which helps raise and rotate the shoulder blade; and the levator veli palatini, which raises the soft palate of the mouth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Any of the muscles that raise a body part |
| Types | Levator anguli oris, Levator ani, Levatores costarum, Levator labii superioris, Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, Levator palpebrae superioris, Levator prostatae, Levator scapulae, Levator veli palatini |
| Levator ani | A broad, thin muscle group, situated on either side of the pelvis |
| Parts of Levator ani | Pubococcygeus, Iliococcygeus, Puborectalis |
| Function | Supports the viscera in the pelvic cavity, surrounds the various structures that pass through it, maintains continence and pelvic organ support |
| Injury | Levator ani muscles sustain either direct or denervation injury during childbirth, leading to pelvic organ prolapse |
| Treatment | Electrogalvanic stimulation, Sitz bath, Biofeedback, Pelvic floor muscle training |
| Blood supply | Ophthalmic artery branches, Internal carotid artery |
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What You'll Learn
Levator ani muscle's role in childbirth
The levator ani muscle is a thin sheet of muscle that stretches across the pelvic cavity. It is the largest component of the pelvic floor and provides support to the pelvic visceral structures. It is involved in basic human functions such as urination, defecation, and sexual function. The levator ani muscle plays a crucial role in childbirth by undergoing a process of elongation to allow the fetus to pass through the birth canal.
During pregnancy and childbirth, the levator ani muscle, which comprises the urogenital hiatus, elongates to accommodate the passage of the fetus through the birth canal. This muscular structure is also involved in supporting the pelvic organs and maintaining functions such as urination, defecation, and sexuality during pregnancy. However, the stretch that the levator ani muscle undergoes during childbirth is unique and cannot be compared to any other muscular stretch in human anatomy.
The levator ani muscle is composed of three parts: the puborectalis, pubococcygeus, and iliococcygeus. The puborectalis forms a U-shaped muscular sling around the rectum, facilitating defecation. The pubococcygeus, also known as the pubovisceral, supports the vagina in females and the prostate in males. The iliococcygeus is a thin sheet of muscle that traverses the pelvic canal and connects to the sacrum and coccyx.
Injury to the levator ani muscle during vaginal delivery is a common occurrence, affecting 13-36% of women. This injury can lead to reduced pelvic floor muscle strength, enlargement of the vaginal hiatus, and pelvic organ prolapse. The use of forceps during delivery further increases the risk of levator ani injury. Identifying women at risk for levator ani injury is important to consider less traumatic delivery options and minimize the impact of childbirth on their bodies.
Pelvic floor muscle training, such as Kegel exercises, can help strengthen the levator ani muscle and improve pelvic floor muscle function. Electromyographical changes and abnormalities in the pelvic floor muscles after childbirth have been observed in women experiencing defecation disorders, stress urinary incontinence, and prolapse. While the relationship between levator ani injuries and stress urinary incontinence is controversial, women with levator ani injuries after childbirth are more likely to experience worsening symptoms.
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Levator ani muscle injuries
The levator ani muscle is a thin sheet of muscle that stretches across the pelvic cavity and helps hold the pelvic viscera in position. It is the largest component of the pelvic floor and is involved in urinary voiding, defecation and sexual function.
The risk factors for LAM injuries include older maternal age, longer second-stage labour, forceps delivery, and perineal trauma. These injuries can be assessed and diagnosed using digital palpation, ultrasound scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, there is currently no standardised imaging modality or surgical management for LAM avulsion.
Treatment options for LAM injuries include electrogalvanic stimulation, sitz baths, biofeedback, and pelvic floor muscle training (Kegel exercises) to relieve pain and spasms and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Prevention is considered the best treatment, as there are currently no successful primary repair methods for LAM avulsion.
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Levator ani muscle's function in females
The levator ani muscle is a thin sheet of muscle that stretches across the pelvic cavity and helps hold the pelvic viscera in position. It is the largest component of the pelvic floor and provides support to the pelvic visceral structures. The levator ani muscle is made up of three muscles: puborectalis, pubococcygeus, and iliococcygeus.
In females, the levator ani muscle plays a crucial role in preserving urinary and bowel continence. It also supports the vagina and helps in childbirth by assisting in the proper positioning of the fetus's head. The puborectalis muscle forms a U-shaped muscular sling around the rectum and acts in association with the internal and external anal sphincter during defecation. The pubococcygeus muscle, also known as pubovisceral or pubovaginalis, is the wider but thinner intermediate part of the levator ani. It supports the vagina and controls the flow of urine, helping to reduce urinary incontinence. The iliococcygeus muscle extends laterally from the fascia of the obturator internus muscle to the tailbone and forms the midline raphe when it meets the fibers from the opposite side.
The levator ani muscle is a crucial structure for maintaining pelvic and abdominal organ stability in females. It can be injured during vaginal birth, and its weakness or dysfunction can lead to pelvic organ prolapse and urinary or bowel incontinence. Pelvic floor muscle training, such as Kegel exercises, can help strengthen the levator ani muscle and improve its function.
The levator ani muscle has a complex anatomy, and its structure and function can vary among individuals. It is important to assess and treat any issues related to the levator ani muscle to maintain optimal pelvic health and prevent long-term complications.
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Levator palpebrae superioris muscle
Levator muscles are those that raise a body part. In humans, these include the levator anguli oris (which raises the corner of the mouth), the levator labii superioris (which raises the upper lip), and the levator scapulae (which helps raise and rotate the shoulder blade).
The levator palpebrae superioris muscle is a thin, triangular muscle located in the bony orbit above the eyeball. It is one of the facial muscles and contributes to the array of facial expressions since the upper lid elevation contributes to expressing feelings of fear, anger, and shock. It is also classified as an extraocular muscle, which means it facilitates eye movements by elevating and retracting the upper eyelid. This allows for an unhindered upward gaze.
The levator palpebrae superioris originates from the periosteum of the sphenoid bone's lesser wing, positioned superiorly to the optic foramen. The muscle courses anteriorly along the superior orbit, running superiorly to the superior rectus muscle. The superior tarsal muscle (Müller muscle) is a smooth muscle that attaches to the underside of the levator palpebrae superioris and is sometimes considered a separate muscle. The levator palpebrae superioris is attached to the check ligament of the superior rectus, and both muscles are enclosed by connective tissue sheaths.
The internal carotid artery provides most of the levator palpebrae superioris' blood supply via ophthalmic artery branches. The 4 arterial systems directing blood to the muscle are the lacrimal, supratrochlear, supraorbital, and muscular branches. These vessels connect to the superior peripheral arcade, providing circulation to the upper eyelid's superior aspect. The upper eyelid lymphatics, including the levator palpebrae superioris muscles, are believed to drain solely laterally to the preauricular/parotid lymph nodes and the deep cervical lymph nodes. CN III innervates the levator palpebrae superioris like most orbital cavity muscles.
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Other levator muscles
Levator muscles are those that raise a body part. In humans, these include the levator anguli oris, which raises the corner of the mouth.
Levator labii superioris and levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
These muscles raise the upper lip.
Levator palpebrae superioris
This muscle raises the upper eyelid. The levator palpebrae superioris is a triangular muscle with a rich blood supply provided by the ophthalmic and supraorbital arteries, which are branches of the internal carotid artery. The medial and lateral upper eyelid lymph vessels were previously thought to drain along the angular artery, but it is now believed that the upper eyelid lymphatics drain solely laterally to the preauricular/parotid lymph nodes and the deep cervical lymph nodes.
Levator prostatae
The levator prostatae is part of the levator ani in males. It supports the prostate gland and is involved in controlling urination.
Levator scapulae
The levator scapulae is a strap-like muscle in the shoulder that helps raise and rotate the shoulder blade.
Levatores costarum
The levatores costarum help raise the ribs during respiration.
Levator veli palatini
This muscle raises the soft palate of the mouth.
Levator ani
The levator ani is a thin sheet of muscle that stretches across the pelvic cavity and helps hold the pelvic viscera in position.
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Frequently asked questions
Levator muscles are muscles that raise a body part. In humans, these include the levator anguli oris (which raises the corner of the mouth), the levator ani (a thin sheet of muscle that stretches across the pelvic cavity), and the levator palpebrae superioris (which raises the upper eyelid).
The levator ani muscle provides support to the pelvic visceral structures and plays an important role in urinary voiding, defecation, and sexual function. It is the largest component of the pelvic floor and is responsible for "wagging" the tail in tailed quadrupeds.
The levator ani muscle consists of three parts: the pubococcygeus, the iliococcygeus, and the puborectalis. The pubococcygeus supports the vagina and prostate in females and males, respectively. The puborectalis forms a U-shaped muscular sling around and behind the rectum.
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