Levator palpebrae superioris muscle

The levator palpebrae superioris muscle is a muscle of the eye that raises the upper eyelid when contracted. There is one levator palpebrae superioris muscle above each eye.

Origin
The levator palpebrae superioris originates from the sphenoid bone, part of the skull, at the rear of the eye socket. It attaches at the inferior aspect of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone.

Insertion
The levator palpebrae superioris inserts on the skin of the upper eyelid, and at the superior tarsal plate.

Innervation
The levator palpebrae superioris is innervated by the superior division of the oculomotor nerve (CN III).

Word origin
Levator palpebrae superioris gets it name from a Latin description of its action. Levator means elevating or raising, palpebrae means eyelids, and superioris in this case means upper. The levator palpebrae superioris muscles raise the upper eyelids.