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The upper lip is a complex anatomical feature with a variety of functions. It is formed by the fusion of the lateral and medial nasal processes, along with the maxillary prominences. The upper lip is composed of muscles, including the orbicularis oris, which surrounds the mouth, and is covered externally by skin and internally by a mucous membrane. These muscles are essential for facial expressions, such as smiling or showing disgust, and they also play a role in speech articulation and food intake. The upper lip is supplied by the infraorbital nerve, a branch of the maxillary nerve, which provides sensory innervation. Understanding the anatomy of the upper lip is crucial for surgical planning, especially in the repair of cleft lip deformities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The upper lip extends from the nasolabial folds to the inferior margin of the nose. |
| Anatomy | The upper lip is formed by the fusion of the lateral and medial nasal processes. |
| Facial Muscles | Levator labii superioris, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, levator anguli oris, zygomaticus major, zygomaticus minor, depressor labii inferioris, and orbicularis oris. |
| Innervation | The upper lip receives cutaneous sensory innervation from the infraorbital nerve (a branch of the maxillary nerve). |
| Arterial Supply | The superior labial branch of the facial artery (a branch of the external carotid artery). |
| Skin | The skin of the upper lip forms a junction with the surrounding facial skin, marked by the vermilion border (Cupid's bow). |
| Function | The upper lip, along with the lower lip, helps in food intake, articulation of speech, and facial expressions. |
| Lip Movement | The upper lip is raised by facial muscles, allowing the opening of the oral orifice. |
| Lip Reconstruction | Large defects of the upper lip may require lip flaps or advancement flap reconstruction. |
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What You'll Learn
- The upper lip is formed in the early phase of upper-face development
- The upper lip is made up of orbicularis oris muscle
- The upper lip is attached to the gums by the frenulum labii superioris
- The upper lip is covered externally by skin and internally by mucous membrane
- The upper lip is raised by facial muscles such as levator labii superioris, among others
The upper lip is formed in the early phase of upper-face development
The upper lip is formed from the fusion of several facial prominences, including the maxillary, medial nasal, and lateral nasal processes. This fusion occurs during early embryogenesis, with neural crest cells migrating ventrally and combining with the head ectoderm and mesoderm. The maxillary prominences expand medially, giving rise to the palatal shelves, which fuse with each other and the nasal septum to form the secondary palate. The precise contributions of each facial prominence to the primary palate are still being studied.
The upper lip is a highly innervated structure, receiving sensory innervation from the infraorbital nerve, a branch of the maxillary nerve. The arterial supply to the upper lip comes from the superior labial branch of the facial artery, a branch of the external carotid artery. The lips themselves are composed of the orbicularis oris muscle, which surrounds the mouth and is covered by skin and mucous membranes.
The upper lip is characterised by a pair of paramedian vertical philtral ridges, which border the central depression known as the philtrum. The philtrum is formed by a unique collection of dermal collagen and dense elastic tissue, which diminishes with age, leading to a less prominent appearance. The philtrum is believed to provide additional skin for oral movements requiring stretching of the upper lip.
The development of the upper lip is a critical aspect of facial morphogenesis, and defects in this process can result in cleft lip, a common and disfiguring craniofacial birth defect. Understanding the normal anatomy of the lip is crucial when planning repairs for cleft deformities.
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The upper lip is made up of orbicularis oris muscle
The upper lip is made up of the orbicularis oris muscle, which is a complex circular muscle that surrounds the mouth and forms the majority of the lips. It is covered externally by skin and internally by a mucous membrane. The mucous membrane forms a junction with the skin at the vermilion border, also known as the cupid's bow in the case of the upper lip. The orbicularis oris muscle contributes to the form and shape of the lips.
The orbicularis oris is not a simple sphincter muscle, but rather consists of numerous strata of muscular fibres surrounding the mouth, with different directions. It is composed of four independent quadrants that interlace and give the appearance of circularity. The marginal portion, also called the intrinsic portion, consists of a single or double band of muscle fibres that stem from the modiolus toward the midline, passing through the connective tissue of the lips. The fibres curl upon themselves, forming the vermilion border of the lips.
The upper lip, in particular, consists of two bands, lateral and medial, on either side of the middle line. The lateral band m. incisivus labii superioris arises from the alveolar border of the maxilla, opposite the lateral incisor tooth. It arches laterally and is continuous with the other muscles at the angle of the mouth. The medial band m. nasolabialis connects the upper lip to the back of the septum of the nose. The interval between the two medial bands corresponds with the depression called the philtrum, seen on the lip beneath the septum of the nose.
The orbicularis oris muscle is involved in several functions. It is one of the muscles used in playing brass and some woodwind instruments. The contraction of this muscle closes and protracts the lips, and it also produces some consonantal (labial) sounds. For example, the /p/ sound in "peas" and the /b/ sound in "basket" are produced by bringing the lips together. The orbicularis oris muscle also enables whistling by acting as vibrating strings.
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The upper lip is attached to the gums by the frenulum labii superioris
The upper lip is a complex anatomical structure that plays a crucial role in various functions, including facial expressions, speech articulation, and food intake. It extends from the nasolabial folds to the inferior margin of the nose, intersecting with the lower lip at the mouth angle, known as the commissure. The upper lip is characterised by a pair of symmetrical paramedian vertical philtral ridges, forming a central depression known as the philtrum. This area is particularly important for oral movements requiring the stretching of the upper lip, as it provides additional skin.
The presence of the frenulum is essential for maintaining oral health and the stability of the lip. However, in some cases, the frenulum can grow abnormally or be too short, leading to issues such as tooth gaps or gum recession. This condition is known as a lip-tie and can impact lip movement and dental health. In certain situations, a dentist or oral surgeon may recommend a frenectomy or surgical removal of the frenulum to address these issues.
The upper lip is a highly innervated structure, receiving sensory innervation from the infraorbital nerve, a branch of the maxillary nerve. This nerve also supplies the skin between the upper lip and the lower eyelid. The arterial supply to the upper lip comes from the superior labial branch of the facial artery, providing essential vascularisation to the region.
Understanding the anatomy of the upper lip is crucial for various medical and cosmetic procedures. For example, knowledge of the lip anatomy is essential for planning the repair of cleft lip deformities and for procedures such as lip lifts, which aim to shorten the upper lip to increase the visibility of the maxillary tooth crowns.
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The upper lip is covered externally by skin and internally by mucous membrane
The upper lip is formed by the fusion of the lateral and medial nasal processes. If this fusion does not occur, a cleft lip can develop. The upper lip extends from the nasolabial folds to the inferior margin of the nose. The upper lip is covered externally by skin and internally by mucous membrane. The skin of the upper lip is thin, comprising three to five cellular layers, in contrast to the 16-layer facial skin. The skin of the upper lip is non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which is hairless and lacks sweat and sebaceous glands. This makes it more susceptible to drying out and becoming chapped.
The mucous membrane of the upper lip, on the other hand, is full of capillaries that give it its characteristic reddish colour. This membrane is the vermilion of the lip, which is divided into dry and wet vermilion. The dry vermilion is the outer, hair-bearing tissue, while the wet vermilion is the inner mucous membrane. The wet vermilion is moistened by labial and other glands associated with the oral cavity. The mucous membrane, or oral mucosa, is composed of two layers: the surface stratified squamous epithelium and the deeper lamina propria.
The upper lip is raised by facial muscles, including the levator labii superioris, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, levator anguli oris, and zygomaticus major and minor. These muscles help to open the oral orifice. The upper lip is also characterised by a symmetrical pair of paramedian vertical philtral ridges, which border the central depression known as the philtrum. The philtrum is formed by a unique collection of dermal collagen and dense elastic tissue, which diminishes with age, causing the philtrum to become less prominent. The philtrum is believed to serve as a supply of additional skin for oral movements that require stretching of the upper lip.
The upper lip is richly innervated, receiving its cutaneous sensory innervation from the infraorbital nerve, a branch of the maxillary nerve. The infraorbital nerve also innervates the facial skin between the upper lip and the lower eyelid. The arterial supply to the upper lip comes from the superior labial branch of the facial artery, which is a branch of the external carotid artery.
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The upper lip is raised by facial muscles such as levator labii superioris, among others
The upper lip is a complex anatomical feature with a range of functions, from aiding in food intake and speech articulation to contributing to facial expressions. The upper lip is formed by the fusion of the lateral and medial nasal processes, which, if unsuccessful, can result in a cleft lip.
The upper lip is primarily elevated by the levator labii superioris muscle, also known as the quadratus labii. This thin, quadrilateral muscle originates from the infraorbital margin of the maxilla and extends towards the upper lip. It is responsible for raising the upper lip and creating facial expressions such as those associated with disgust, sadness, and disdain. The levator labii superioris works in conjunction with other facial muscles, including the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, levator anguli oris, zygomaticus major, and zygomaticus minor, to open the oral orifice and produce a wide range of facial expressions.
The levator labii superioris alaeque nasi (LLSAN) is another crucial muscle that contributes to the elevation of the upper lip. It originates on the upper portion of the maxilla and inserts into the alar cartilage and levator labii superiors. The LLSAN is a target for treatment in the "gummy smile," where excessive gingival display results from hyperactivity of the upper lip muscles.
The levator anguli oris is a muscle that lies deep and lateral to the levator labii superiors. It raises the angle of the mouth, contributing to the depth and contour of the nasolabial fold. This muscle is essential in forming a smile and is often considered when injecting neuromodulators.
The zygomaticus major and minor muscles are also involved in raising the upper lip. They work together to draw the angle of the mouth superiorly and posteriorly, contributing to the formation of a smile. These muscles are situated in the cheek region, with the zygomaticus minor tracking obliquely and exhibiting a more anterior origin site compared to the zygomaticus major.
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Frequently asked questions
The upper lip is the part of the lip above the vermilion border, also known as Cupid's bow.
The orbicularis oris muscle is located just above the upper lip. The upper lip is also associated with the levator labii superioris, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, levator anguli oris, and zygomaticus major and minor muscles, which help to raise the upper lip.
The upper lip, along with the lower lip, acts as the gatekeeper of the oral cavity, aiding in food intake and speech articulation. The lips are also erogenous zones and help form facial expressions.
The upper lip extends from the nasolabial folds to the inferior margin of the nose. It is characterised by paramedian vertical philtral ridges and a central depression known as the philtrum. The upper lip also has a labial tubercle at the base of the philtrum.
The upper lip is a highly innervated and vascularised structure. The facial nerve and its branches, such as the buccal branch (Cranial Nerve VII), provide motor and sensory innervation to the upper lip and its associated muscles. Surgeons must also consider the anatomy of the upper lip during cleft deformity repair and facial feminisation procedures.
