What does levator mean?
A levator is a muscle that raises or elevates a body part. The best-known example is the levator palpebrae superioris, a long muscle in the orbit that opens the upper eyelid. Other levators include the levator ani, which forms part of the pelvic floor, and the levator scapulae, which helps raise and rotate the shoulder blade. The term is precise and technical, so it is most often encountered in anatomy, medicine, and physiology rather than everyday speech. Its name comes from the same Latin root as "elevate": levator literally means "a raiser" or "one who lifts." Although "levator" can suggest any lifting device in technical contexts, in modern usage it most commonly refers to a muscle whose function is to lift a structure.
nounAn anatomical muscle that raises or lifts a part of the body, especially the upper eyelid. In general anatomical terminology, a levator is any muscle whose action elevates a structure.
- A muscle that raises or elevates a part of the body, especially the upper eyelid.
"The levator palpebrae superioris is the muscle responsible for opening the upper eyelid."
"The levator palpebrae superioris opens the upper eyelid."
"The levator ani muscles form much of the pelvic floor and help support the pelvic organs."
Plural forms are occasionally used when referring to several levator muscles collectively, although the full names of individual muscles are more usual.
"The levators of the shoulder and pelvis assist in coordinated movement."
Your upper eyelid has a dedicated lifting muscle: the levator palpebrae superioris. Without it, blinking and opening your eye would be much harder.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does levator come from?
The English word comes from Latin levator, meaning "a raiser" or "one who lifts," derived from the verb levare, "to raise or lift." The same root produced words such as "elevate," "elevator," and "levitate." In anatomical terminology, the word became established for muscles that raise particular parts of the body.
How levator is actually used
The term is chiefly anatomical and is normally used with the name of the muscle, as in "levator palpebrae superioris." It is more specific than a general term such as "elevator," which can also refer to a machine or lift.