Levator veli palatini

The levator veli palatini (Latin for " soft palate lifter " ) is a rounded skeletal muscle of the head. It arises from the petrous portion of the temporal bone ( temporal bone ) and the inner plate of the eustachian tube and radiates in the soft palate ( palatine velum, and "soft palate " soft palate ) a. He tightens during swallowing and lifts the soft palate. Thus it prevents the entry of food into the nasopharynx. The innervation is provided by the pharyngeal plexus ( pharyngeal plexus ), mainly on fibers of the vagus nerve ( cranial nerve X).

Also supports the muscle, together with the tensor veli palatini, the opening of the eustachian tube and is thus involved in the equalization of pressure between the outside world and the middle ear. In horses, the muscle is accordingly to the airbag flap and regulates their opening.

• Skeletal muscle of the head