Muscle that lifts the veli palatine (M. Levator Veli Palatini, Pna, Bna, Jna)

The levator veli palatinus muscle (lat. Musculus levator veli palatinus) is a thin flat muscle in the soft palate that is responsible for its raising and lowering. It is located between the medial and lateral walls of the pharynx and has three names in different anatomical nomenclatures: M. levator valli palatinae superioris et plicae palatinae terminalis (PNA), M. levator palatini superioris (BNA) and M. palatopharyngeus (JNA).

The muscle consists of two parts: medial and lateral. The medial part starts from the lower edge of the medial wall of the pharynx, passes upward and forward and is attached to the anterior part of the upper part of the soft palate. The lateral part also originates from the medial wall of the pharynx and runs upward and backward, attaching to the lateral wall of the pharynx.

The function of the muscle is to lift and stabilize the soft palate during swallowing, speaking and breathing. When the muscle contracts, it raises the soft palate and closes the passage to the nasopharynx. This helps protect the airways from food and saliva and ensures normal breathing and voice function.

In addition, this muscle plays an important role in maintaining the correct position of the soft palate and pharynx during sleep and wakefulness. Its contractions may also be associated with certain medical conditions, such as Bell's palsy or laryngeal palsy.

Thus, the levator veli palati muscle is an important muscle in the human body that is involved in many physiological processes and may be associated with various diseases.



The muscle that lifts the veli palatini (lat. Musculus levator veli palatini) is a paired muscle of the pharynx that lifts the soft palate and closes the choanae.

The muscle begins from the anterior surface of the lateral plate of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone, from the lateral wall of the pharynx and from the posterior surface of the vomer. It is attached to the soft palate in the region of its anterior and middle third.