Upper eyelid lifter

Synonyms

Latin: Levator palpebrae superiores muscle
English: levator palpebrae superioris muscle

definition

The upper eyelid lifter is a striated muscle that belongs to the facial muscles and the external eye muscles. The muscle arises inside the eye socket (Orbit), divides the lacrimal gland during its course (Glandula lacrimalis) into two parts and finally pulls to the upper eyelid, which opens when it contracts.

A defect of the upper eyelid lifter is called Ptosis denotes and leads to a drooping of the eyelid.

Read more on the subject under: Ptosis

course

Approach: upper eyelid

Origin: small sphenoid wing (Ala minor)

Innervation: N. oculomotorius

function

As its name suggests, the upper eyelid lifter lifts the upper eyelid when it contracts. In addition, he is connected to the upper rectus eye muscle (Superior rectus muscle) so that the lid opens wider when looking up and closes when looking down.

common illnesses

In the case of muscle weakness of the upper eyelid lifter, one speaks of a "Ptosis", a drooping eyelid. This muscle weakness can be congenital and is then often based on a malformation of the muscle. Marcus-Gunn syndrome is also a congenital disorder of this muscle and leads to drooping of the eyelid.

However, the Ptosis also through injuries and paralysis of the innervating nerve (Oculomotor nerve) or neurological diseases such as the Myasthenia gravis be triggered.

An overactive muscle can lead to excessive lifting of the eyelid.