Harman Patil (Editor)

Nasalis muscle

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Origin
  
Maxilla

Artery
  
Superior labial artery

Insertion
  
Nasal bone

Latin
  
musculus nasalis

Nasalis muscle

Nerve
  
Buccal branch of the facial nerve

Actions
  
Compresses bridge, depresses tip of nose, elevates corners of nostrils

The nasalis is a sphincter-like muscle of the nose whose function is to compress the nasal cartilages. It is the muscle responsible for "flaring" of the nostrils. Some people can use it to close the nostrils to prevent entry of water when underwater.

It consists of two parts, transverse and alar:

  • The transverse part (compressor naris) arises from the maxilla, above and lateral to the incisive fossa; its fibers proceed upward and medially, expanding into a thin aponeurosis which is continuous on the bridge of the nose with that of the muscle of the opposite side, and with the aponeurosis of the Procerus. It compresses the nostrils and may completely close them.
  • The alar part (dilator nasalis) arises from the maxilla over the lateral incisor and inserts into the greater alar cartilage. Its medial fibres tend to blend with the depressor septi, and has been described as part of that muscle.
  • References

    Nasalis muscle Wikipedia


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