levator veli palatini levator veli palatini the levator veli palatini (/lɪˈveɪtər ˈviːlaɪ ˌpæləˈtaɪnaɪ/) is the elevator muscle of the soft palate in the human body. it is supplied via the pharyngeal plexus. during swallowing, it contracts, elevating the soft palate to help prevent food from entering the nasopharynx. levator veli palatinidissection of the muscles of the palate from behind. (caption for levator veli palatini visible at right, second from the top.)external and middle ear, opened from the front. right side. (levator veli palatini visible at bottom right.)detailsorigintemporal bone, eustachian tubeinsertionpalatine aponeurosisarteryfacial arterynervepharyngeal branch of vagus (cn x)actionselevates soft palateidentifierslatinmusculus levator veli palatinita98a05.2.01.102ta22128fma46727anatomical terms of muscle structure the levator veli palatini muscle is found in the soft palate of the mouth. it arises from the under surface of the apex of the petrous part of the temporal bone, and from the surface inferolateral to the medial lamina of the cartilage of the eustachian tube. it does not connect with the medial lamina. it passes above the upper concave margin of the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle. it spreads out in the palatine velum, its fibers extending obliquely downward and medially to the middle line, where they blend with those of the opposite side. it lies lateral to the choana. nerve supply the levator veli palatini muscle is supplied by the pharyngeal plexus, which is supplied by the vagus nerve (cn x). function the levator veli palatini muscle elevates the soft palate during swallowing. this helps to prevent food from entering the nasopharynx. its action may be slightly slower than its partner, the tensor veli palatini muscle. additional images left temporal bone. inferior surface.