Levator Labii Superioris

Description

Running inferior to the orbital rim, the levator labii superioris is isolated as an elongated muscular slip arising from the anterior surface of the maxilla just superior to the infraorbital foramen and descending to blend with the orbicularis oris and the upper lip. Lateral to it, the zygomaticus minor and major track obliquely from the zygomatic bone toward the modiolus, forming a clear comparison between pure upper-lip elevation and the more lateral pull of the smile complex. Medially, the nasal bone and piriform aperture frame the nasal cavity, where the superior, middle, and inferior nasal conchae sit posterior to the maxilla. Posterior structures, including the mandible, cervical vertebrae, and the superior thoracic cage with clavicle, provide orientation for head and neck proportions. Clear landmarks. Correlating the muscle belly to the infraorbital margin matters because surgical and anesthetic work in the midface often uses the infraorbital foramen as the surface landmark for the infraorbital nerve block, and the levator labii superioris lies directly in that corridor. Weakness from facial nerve (CN VII) injury in the zygomatic and buccal branches alters upper-lip elevation and contributes to asymmetry that differs from isolated zygomaticus dysfunction, a distinction that guides facial reanimation planning and botulinum toxin injection patterns. This view also helps explain why maxillary fractures or subperiosteal dissection along the anterior maxilla can produce postoperative upper-lip droop or dysesthesia. Use this artwork in head and neck anatomy teaching for dental and medical curricula, in maxillofacial surgery and plastic surgery texts discussing perioral dynamics, and in ENT or anesthesia materials covering infraorbital nerve block technique and midface surface anatomy. It also suits patient-facing explanations of facial palsy patterns when paired with clinical photography. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.