Levator veli palatini

The levator veli palatini is a muscle of the soft palate that plays a crucial role in swallowing and speech. It is responsible for elevating the soft palate to prevent food from entering the nasopharynx during swallowing.

Structure

The levator veli palatini originates from the petrous part of the temporal bone and the cartilaginous part of the auditory tube. It inserts into the palatine aponeurosis, which is a fibrous sheet in the soft palate.

Innervation

The muscle is innervated by the pharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve, which is formed by the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) and contributions from the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX).

Blood Supply

The levator veli palatini receives its blood supply from the ascending palatine artery and the ascending pharyngeal artery.

Function

The primary function of the levator veli palatini is to elevate the soft palate during swallowing and yawning. This action helps to close off the nasopharynx from the oropharynx, preventing food and liquid from entering the nasal cavity. It also plays a role in speech by contributing to the proper closure of the nasopharyngeal isthmus.

Clinical Significance

Dysfunction of the levator veli palatini can lead to conditions such as velopharyngeal insufficiency, where there is an inability to close the communication between the nasal cavity and the mouth during speech, resulting in hypernasal speech.

See also

• Tensor veli palatini
• Soft palate
• Pharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve
• Swallowing