Head and neck muscles (chewing, facial, and throat muscles)

Levator Anguli Oris

Musculus levator anguli oris (caninus)

Origin

Canine fossa of the maxilla, below the infraorbital foramen

Insertion

Angle of the mouth, interweaving with the orbicularis oris and depressor anguli oris muscles

Function

Elevates the corner of the mouth and accentuates the nasolabial fold

Innervation

Buccal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII)

Movement & chain

Elevates the corner of the mouth and accentuates the nasolabial fold; a mimetic movement.

Palpation

Deeply palpable within the canine fossa of the maxilla.

Clinical

Loss of function flattens the nasolabial fold and contributes to the characteristic facial asymmetry in peripheral facial palsy.

Segmental innervation

CN VII, motor.

In clinical practice

Elevates the angle of the mouth; targeted rehabilitation preventing aberrant synkinesis during facial nerve recovery.

Region in the model

Head and neck muscles (chewing, facial, and throat muscles)