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The levator muscle is any muscle that raises a body part. Examples include the levator ani, a thin sheet of muscle that stretches across the pelvic cavity and helps hold the pelvic viscera in position, and the levator scapulae, a strap-like muscle of the shoulder that helps raise and rotate the shoulder blade. The levator palpebrae superioris is a skeletal muscle that raises the upper eyelid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Any of the muscles that raise a body part |
| Types | Levator ani, Levator anguli oris, Levator costarum, Levator labii superioris, Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, Levator palpebrae superioris, Levator prostatae, Levator scapulae, Levator veli palatini |
| Levator ani | Largest component of the pelvic floor. Supports pelvic visceral structures and plays a role in urinary voiding, defecation, and sexual function. Consists of three parts: puborectalis, pubococcygeus, and iliococcygeus muscle. |
| Levator anguli oris | Raises the corner of the mouth |
| Levator costarum | Helps raise the ribs during respiration |
| Levator labii superioris | Raises the upper lip |
| Levator palpebrae superioris | Raises the upper eyelid |
| Levator prostatae | Supports the prostate gland and controls urination |
| Levator scapulae | Connects the upper limb to the vertebral column. Elevates the scapula and tilts the glenoid cavity inferiorly by rotating the scapula downward |
| Levator veli palatini | Raises the soft palate of the mouth |
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What You'll Learn
Levator ani muscle supports the pelvic viscera
The levator ani muscle is a large, thin, muscular sheet that forms the pelvic floor. It is the main muscle of the pelvic floor and is located on either side of the pelvis. The levator ani muscle supports the pelvic viscera, which include the bladder, rectum, pelvic genital organs, and the terminal part of the urethra.
The levator ani muscle is made up of three parts: the puborectalis, the pubococcygeus, and the iliococcygeus. The pubococcygeus is a hammock-like muscle that stretches from the pubic bone to the coccyx, forming the floor of the pelvic cavity. It supports the pelvic organs and is involved in urinary voiding, defecation, and sexual function. The puborectalis forms a U-shaped muscular sling around and behind the rectum, facilitating rectal emptying during defecation. The iliococcygeus provides a secure anchoring point for the pelvic floor and helps to manage mechanical pressures during movement.
In females, the pubococcygeus muscle supports the vagina, while in males, it supports the prostate. The levator ani muscle also surrounds and allows the passage of various pelvic structures, including the obturator internus muscle and the anal canal.
The levator ani muscle is important for maintaining intra-abdominal pressure and resisting increases in pressure during activities such as coughing or lifting heavy objects. It also aids in respiration by releasing during inhalation and contracting during exhalation. Weakening of the levator ani muscle can lead to pelvic organ prolapse and levator ani syndrome, which is characterised by episodic rectal pain caused by muscle spasms.
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Levator palpebrae superioris raises the upper eyelid
The levator palpebrae superioris is a muscle in the orbit that raises the upper eyelid. It originates from the inferior surface of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone, just above the optic foramen. It is a skeletal muscle, not a smooth muscle. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle is innervated by the superior branch of the oculomotor nerve (CN III), which allows for synchronous upper eyelid elevation during upward gaze.
The levator palpebrae superioris muscle works in conjunction with other muscles and structures to raise the upper eyelid. It is associated with the superior rectus, superior tarsal, and orbicularis oculi muscles. The superior tarsal muscle, also known as the Müller muscle, is a smooth muscle that attaches to the superior tarsal plate and lies posterior to the levator aponeurosis. The levator aponeurosis inserts onto the upper eyelid skin and the upper tarsal plate's anterior surface.
The levator palpebrae superioris muscle receives its blood supply from branches of the ophthalmic artery, specifically the muscular branches and the supraorbital artery. The superior ophthalmic vein drains blood away from the muscle. Additionally, the upper eyelid's lymphatic vessels drain laterally to the preauricular and parotid lymph nodes, as well as the deep cervical lymph nodes.
Damage to the levator palpebrae superioris muscle or its innervation can result in ptosis, or drooping of the eyelid. Ptosis can also occur due to damage to the adjoining superior tarsal muscle or its sympathetic innervation, as seen in conditions like Horner's syndrome. To strengthen the levator palpebrae superioris muscle and relieve eyelid twitching, targeted eyelid exercises can be performed, such as alternately closing and opening the eyelids tightly for ten seconds each.
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Levator labii superioris raises the upper lip
Levator muscles are those that raise a body part. One such muscle is the levator labii superioris, which is responsible for raising the upper lip. This muscle is also known as the quadratus labii and is one of the muscles of facial expression. It is a thin, quadrilateral muscle that begins at the infraorbital margin of the maxilla and extends toward the upper lip.
The levator labii superioris works in conjunction with the upper lip's other muscles to elevate and evert the upper lip. This muscle is an elevator muscle of the upper lip and is responsible for making expressions of sadness or seriousness. It also contributes to expressions of disgust and disdain. The levator labii superioris is involved in nasal flaring, retching (vomiting), and oral movements.
The levator labii superioris has three distinct parts with different functions: the angular head, the infra-orbital head, and the zygomatic head. The angular head elevates the upper lip and dilates the nostrils. The infra-orbital head raises the angle of the mouth. The zygomatic head elevates the upper lip laterally, as in a smile.
Facial exercises can be useful for those who have lost facial expressions due to a stroke or neurological disorder, as well as for cosmetic reasons. One such exercise for the levator labii superioris involves puckering the lips while bringing the upper lip up toward the nose and holding this position for ten seconds, repeating ten times.
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Levator scapulae helps raise and rotate the shoulder blade
The levator scapulae is a muscle that helps raise and rotate the shoulder blade. It is a strap-like muscle located in the posterior triangle of the neck that connects the upper limb to the vertebral column. The levator scapulae originates on the posterior tubercle of the transverse process of cervical vertebrae 1 to 4. It inserts onto the vertebral margin of the scapula, between the superior angle and the root of the spine.
The levator scapulae is innervated by the cervical nerve (C3-C4) and the dorsal scapular nerve (C5). These nerves enable the muscle to perform its function of elevating and rotating the scapula, or shoulder blade. This rotation involves tilting the glenoid cavity inferiorly by rotating the scapula downward.
The levator scapulae is an important muscle for shoulder movement and stability. By raising and rotating the scapula, it helps to position the arm and provide a range of motion for various activities. This muscle is crucial for activities that require raising or rotating the shoulder, such as reaching overhead or throwing a ball.
Additionally, the levator scapulae plays a role in maintaining proper posture and alignment of the neck and shoulders. When the scapula is fixed, a contraction of the levator scapulae can lead to lateral flexion of the cervical vertebral column to the side, which can help stabilize the shoulder girdle and upper back during certain movements or postures.
Overall, the levator scapulae is a vital muscle for shoulder function and stability, and its ability to raise and rotate the shoulder blade contributes significantly to the overall mobility and flexibility of the upper body.
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Levator ani muscle plays a role in sexual function
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. The levator ani muscle provides support to the pelvic visceral structures and plays a role in resisting increases in intra-abdominal pressure. It is involved in urinary voiding, defecation, and sexual function.
In females, the levator ani muscle forms a kind of sphincter around the vagina and supports the uterus and vagina during the reproductive process. Vaginal distension by the erect penis evokes the vaginolevator and vaginopuborectalis reflexes, resulting in a levator ani muscle contraction. Trauma to the levator ani muscle during childbirth is associated with increased genital hiatus, which can cause vaginal laxity and affect sexual functioning.
In males, the levator ani muscle supports the prostate gland and is involved in controlling urination. During ejaculation, levator ani muscle contraction facilitates semen ejection.
Pelvic floor muscle training may improve female sexual function. For example, injection of BTA into the hypertonic pelvic floor muscles has been shown to decrease pelvic floor resting pressure and improve dyspareunia in women with therapy-resistant chronic pelvic pain.
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Frequently asked questions
Levator muscles are muscles that raise a body part.
There are several types of levator muscles, including:
- Levator ani
- Levator anguli oris
- Levatores costarum
- Levator labii superioris
- Levator palpebrae superioris
- Levator prostatae
- Levator scapulae
- Levator veli palatini
The levator ani muscle is the largest component of the pelvic floor. It provides support to the pelvic visceral structures and plays a role in urinary voiding, defecation, and sexual function.
The levator scapulae muscle helps to elevate the scapula and tilt the glenoid cavity inferiorly by rotating the scapula downward.
