Levator labii superioris

The levator labii superioris ( " upper lip lift ") is a skin muscle of the head. In humans, the muscle is divided into three separate strands. They originate on the upper jaw and cheekbone and radiate into the upper lip. The muscle is part of the facial muscles and pulls the upper lip upwards. It is innervated by the facial nerve.

The anterior portion originates at the frontal process ( processus frontalis) of the maxillary bone, and divides into two branches, one of which is to a large cartilage of the nose, the other radiates into the upper lip and the orbicularis oris. The middle portion originates at the lower margin of the orbit above the infraorbital foramen. The posterior (lateral ) portion originates at the zygomatic bone and radiates into the mouth.