superior tarsal muscle (Muller muscle)

Introduction

Well defined layer of smooth muscle that extends from the galea aponeurotica to levator palpebrae superioris to the superior tarsus (tarsal plate).

Action

• holds upper eyelid in an elevated position
• paralysis in Horner syndrome results in ptosis

Innervation

sympathetic nerves

More general terms

• smooth muscle (unstriated/unstriped/visceral muscle)

Additional terms

• Horner's (Bernard-Horner's) syndrome
• levator palpebrae superioris
• tarsal plate (tarsus)