Levator labii superioris is a muscle in the upper lip and cheek that has two relatively independent parts, nasal part and lateral part, which are again divisible into separable muscle bundles. (Some experts consider zygomatic minor to be the zygomatic head of levator labii superioris.) The lateral part (infraorbital head) originates in the medial part of the orbit and inserts in the corners of the lips and into muscles of the upper lip. This part raises the upper lip relatively straight up.

The nasal part (angular head) originates on the cheek bone near where it meets the bones of the nose and inserts into the skin of the nose and skin of the lip just lateral to the nasal wing. The action of this muscle raises the upper lip, stretches the nasal wing up, and wrinkles the nose. 

Levator labii superioris is innervated by zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve (VII) and is supplied with blood by the facial artery.