The Levator Veli Palatini Muscle in Cleft Palate Anatomy and Its Implications for Assessing Velopharyngeal Function: A Literature Review

Background & Objectives: The levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle is most commonly reported as the most abnormal muscle in the population with cleft palate and the muscle plays a significant role in velar elevation, and therefore speech production. Methods: This article reviewed the literature focusing on anatomic aspects of the LVP muscle in normal and cleft palate populations and addressed the significant implication of the studies in clinical services for individuals with cleft palate. Results & Conclusion: Literature addressed that abnormal location and volume of the LVP muscle is closely related to velopharyngeal insufficiency and a complete evaluation of the LVP muscle along with the velopharyngeal mechanism is required to provide the most appropriate and effective treatments to individuals with cleft palate. Continuous improvements of MRI technique lead to effective identification of LVP muscle structures and better clinical decision-making for surgical procedures and speech therapy in individuals with cleft palate. (Korean Journal of Communication Disorders 2007;12;77-89)