| levator swelling | The bulge in the lateral wall of the nasopharynx, below the opening of the auditory tube, produced by the levator veli palatini muscle. Synonym: torus levatorius, levator swelling. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| levator veli palatini | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, apex of petrous portion of temporal bone and lower part of cartilaginous auditory (eustachian) tube; insertion, aponeurosis of soft palate; action, raises soft palate; through the expansion of its fleshy belly during contraction, it helps to "push" open the auditory tube; nerve supply, pharyngeal plexus (cranial root of accessory nerve). Synonym: musculus levator veli palatini, elevator muscle of soft palate, levator palati muscle, musculus levator palati, musculus petrostaphylinus. (05 Mar 2000) |