| Superior tarsal muscle | |
|---|---|
| The tarsi and their ligaments. Right eye; front view. (Muscle not labeled but region is visible.) | |
| Sagittal section of right orbital cavity. (Muscle not labeled but region is visible.) | |
| Latin | musculus tarsalis superior |
| Origin | underside of levator palpebrae superioris |
| Insertion | superior tarsal plate of the eyelid |
| Artery | ophthalmic artery |
| Nerve | sympathetic nervous system |
| Actions | raise the upper eyelid |
The superior tarsal muscle (also known as Müller's muscle) is a smooth muscle adjoining the levator palpebrae superioris muscle that helps to raise the upper eyelid.
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The superior tarsal muscle originates on the underside of levator palpebrae superioris and inserts on the superior tarsal plate of the eyelid.
The superior tarsal muscle receives its innervation from the sympathetic nervous system on fibers carried along with the ophthalmic artery through the cavernous sinus. These postganglionic sympathetic fibers originate in the superior cervical ganglion.
The superior tarsal muscle works with the levator palpebrae superioris to raise the upper eyelid.
Damage to some elements of the sympathetic nervous system can inhibit this muscle, causing a drooping eyelid (partial ptosis). This is seen in Horner's syndrome.
from Ancient Greek ταρσός, a "flat surface" typically used for drying.
The term "Müller's muscle" is sometimes used as a synonym.[1]
However, the same term is also used for a portion of the ciliary muscle.[2][3]
Heinrich Müller (physiologist)
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