levator veli palatini (muscle)

Definition: muscle of soft palate; origin, apex of petrous portion of temporal bone and lower part of cartilaginous pharyngotympanic (auditory) tube; insertion, aponeurosis of soft palate; action, raises soft palate; through the expansion of its fleshy belly during contraction, it helps to “push” open the auditory tube for equilibration of pressure; nerve supply, pharyngeal plexus (cranial root of accessory nerve).

Synonym(s): musculus levator veli palatiniTA, (elevator) muscle of soft palate, levator palati (muscle), musculus levator palati, musculus petrostaphylinus

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