Three observations relative to the levator veli palatini muscles in the cleft palate patient are emphasized. They are: 1) the fascia of the levator muscle is readily identifiable and should be preserved intact during the dissection and retrodisplacement of the muscles during palatoplasty; 2) the levators are attached to the palatine bone via a tendon-like condenstation of muscle fibers; and 3) adequate release of the band-like attachment of soft tissue to the anteriolateral aspect of the levator is essential for optimal retrodisplacement of the muscle unit.