Levator Labii Superioris, Lateral View

Description

Seen in lateral profile on an adult male face, the levator labii superioris runs inferiorly from the infraorbital margin of the maxilla toward the upper lip, lying anterior to the maxillary sinus region and superior to the oral commissure. Medially, its fibers approach the side of the nose and the alar base, blending with adjacent elevators near the nasolabial fold, while laterally it sits superficial to the facial skeleton and above the cheek musculature. Surrounding landmarks commonly visible in this projection include the temporalis superiorly, the masseter over the mandibular ramus, and the platysma draping the anterolateral neck, with the auricle defining the posterior facial boundary. Buccinator is isolated in light red within the cheek, positioned deep to the facial expression musculature as it forms the muscular wall of the oral vestibule. Functionally, levator labii superioris is a key contributor to upper lip elevation and the deepening of the nasolabial sulcus, and this side view makes its vector of pull easy to teach relative to the alar region and the upper lip margin. That relationship matters in facial nerve work: midface weakness from zygomatic or buccal branch injury can flatten the nasolabial fold and reduce upper lip elevation, a deficit clinicians often document during cranial nerve VII testing. It also provides a clean anatomic map for planning local anesthetic infiltration near the infraorbital foramen, where sensory blockade can affect the upper lip and lateral nasal skin. Use this plate for head and neck gross anatomy, facial expression labs in dental and medical curricula, and figure sets explaining midface paralysis, nasolabial fold mechanics, or infraorbital nerve blocks in procedural texts. It also suits surgical education on perinasal approaches where correct plane selection preserves mimetic muscles. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.