Corpus: Levator veli palatini muscle

The levator veli palatini muscle is a short muscle that lifts the soft palate, opens the pharyngeal opening of the auditory tube, and is part of the palatal musculature.

2.1. Origin

The levator veli palatini muscle originates from the petrous part of the temporal bone and the tubal cartilage of the auditory tube.

2.2. Attachment

The muscle fibers of the levator veli palatini extend downward over the edge of the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle. The fibers from both sides converge and intertwine in the soft palate, inserting into the palatine aponeurosis.

The levator veli palatini muscle is innervated by the pharyngeal plexus, which is composed of fibers from the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) and the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX).

The levator veli palatini muscle raises a fold of mucous membrane, known as the levator torus, in the nasopharynx below the tubal opening (ostium).

The levator veli palatini muscle elevates the soft palate against the posterior pharyngeal wall, aiding in swallowing. In conjunction with the tensor veli palatini muscle, it also helps open the auditory tube, thereby equalizing pressure in the middle ear.