Nasolabial Levator Muscle
Full Title: Nasolabial Levator Muscle
Author: Catherine Clark
Date of Publication: August 6, 2015
PDF: http://petmassage.com/wp-content/uploads/Nasolabial-Levator-Muscle-by-Catherine-Clark-2015-08-06.pdf
Research Paper Text:
Source: https://www.britannica.com/science/muscle?oasmId=147095
The nasolabial levator muscle lies directly beneath the skin of the infraorbital region. It is located beneath the skin on the foreface between a dog’s nose and stop. The muscle is flat and shaped like a band. In horses the nasolabial levator splits into two branches and the canine muscle passes through it. The nasolabial artery branches first from the facial artery which then divides into the lateral and nasal artery and angular artery of the eye (König).
This muscle along with the orbicularis oris muscle and the zygomaticus muscle is why dogs can communicate through facial expressions (Lips). The nasolabial levator muscle enables the dog to flare his nostrils which is another sign of communication. (König).
Muscles should feel firm but elastic when they are relaxed. The muscles may feel like ropes or cords. If a muscle is resting but still has some tightness then the muscle is still semi-contracted. Muscles that are sore or not functioning properly may feel knotted up (Furman). A muscle that is over worked often times has some inflammation within its fibers. The inflammation brings about the formation of new muscle fibers. However, if inflammation gets too far out of control it can cause the formation of scar tissue. Some massage techniques can increase blood circulation, promote healing, and break down scar tissue (Hourdebaigt).
Source: http://cookecakes.deviantart.com/art/Horse-Anatomy-the-Muscles-144392460
Works Cited
- Furman, C. Sue. “Canine Massage Used For Damaged Muscle Tissue.” The Whole Dog Journal (2000): n.
pag. The Whole Dog Journal. Feb. 2000. Web. 29 June 2015. - Hourdebaigt, Jean-Pierre. “Muscles of the Dog.” Canine Massage: A Complete Reference Manual. 2nd ed.
Wenatchee, WA: Dogwise Pub., 2004. N. pag. Print. - König, Horst Erich., Hans-Georg Liebich, and H. Bragulla. Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic Mammals:
Textbook and Colour Atlas. 3rd ed. Stuttgart: Schattauer, 2007. Print. - “Lips.” Wikivet. N.p., 31 Aug. 2014. Web. 29 June 2015.
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