Logan Steele
The nostrils, or external nasal valve, are a vital component of the nasal cavity, which serves multiple functions, including filtering inhaled particles and regulating airflow. The nasal muscles play a significant role in nostril regulation and facial expressions, with specific muscles responsible for opening the nostrils and controlling airflow. These muscles are typically thin and superficial, and their movement can be influenced by genetics and environmental factors, contributing to the unique shape and appearance of each person's nose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of nostril muscle | Nasalis muscle |
| Function | Compresses the nasal cartilages, opens the nostril, and elevates the upper lip |
| Facial expression | Helps with facial expression and nostril regulation |
| Role in nasal airway | Plays a role in increasing nasal airflow |
| Resting state | Has an important resting nasal muscle tension that opens the nasal airway |
| Innervation | Facial nerve, CNVII |
| Parts | Transverse part and alar part |
| Surgical significance | The transverse part needs to be identified during reconstructive surgery so that it can be sutured to the nasal septum |
| Testing | Can be used to test the facial nerve (VII) |
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The nasalis muscle
The transverse part of the nasalis muscle, also known as the compressor naris, compresses the nasal aperture and wrinkles the nasal skin. The alar part, or dilator naris posterior, draws the nares and posterior part of the columella down and laterally, widening the nares and elongating the nose. The alar portion can be treated with BoNT-A to slim the flair of the alar.
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Facial expression
The nose is a unique feature that differs from person to person. The nostrils, or external nasal valve, are an important part of the nose and play a role in both aesthetics and function. The nasal muscles are an integral part of facial expressions and breathing, and they can be divided into elevators, depressors, compressors, and dilators.
The nasalis muscle, in particular, is a sphincter-like muscle that covers the nasal cartilages and can compress and ""flare" the nostrils. It has two parts: the transverse part and the alar part. The transverse part originates on the maxilla, or upper jaw bone, and inserts itself on the dorsum of the nose, compressing the nasal aperture. The alar part originates above the lateral incisor and attaches to the alar cartilage, opening the nostril by pulling it down and out. The levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscles may also be considered part of the nasal muscle group.
The nasal muscles are important for increasing nasal airflow and are regularly used during facelifting procedures. They can be used to test the facial nerve (VII) or the zygomatic branches, which supply them. The procerus muscle, for example, is active in the emotions exhibited in frowning, squinting, and concentration.
The nasal muscles are typically far enough out of the treatment area, but their role in smiling and facial expressions makes them an important consideration in aesthetic treatments.
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Nostril regulation
The nostrils, or external nasal valve, play an important role in nostril regulation. Nostril regulation is influenced by the nasal muscles, which include the nasalis, procerus, and depressor septi. The nasal muscles are thin and superficial, with a good portion of blood vessels coursing into the muscular layer.
The nasalis muscle, in particular, is responsible for compressing the nasal cartilages and may also "flare" the nostrils. It is one of the key muscles affected by cleft lip and cleft palate deformities. During reconstructive surgery, the transverse part of the nasalis muscle must be identified and surgically sutured to the nasal septum to correct this deformity.
The procerus muscle, on the other hand, pulls down the medial portions of the eyebrows, resulting in wrinkling over the bridge of the nose. It is part of the depressor muscle group and is active during emotions such as frowning, squinting, or concentration.
Another muscle associated with nostril regulation is the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, which belongs to the oral group but has functions related to the nose. The LLSAN muscle, for example, opens the nostril and elevates the upper lip.
The nasal muscles actively increase nasal airflow and maintain resting nasal muscle tension that opens the nasal airway. They can be classified as elevators, depressors, compressors, and dilators of the nose, and they play a role in facial expression and breathing during smiling.
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Nasal airflow
The nostrils, or external nasal valve, are an important part of the nasal airflow system. The nasal valve is the limiting region of airflow and is defined as the lower edge of the upper lateral cartilages incorporating the anterior ends of the inferior turbinates adjacent to the nasal septum. The nasal valve is usually located less than 2 cm distal in the nasal passageway, approximately 1.3 cm from the naris. The average cross-sectional area is 0.73 cm^2.
The nasal cycle is a feature of normal nasal physiology, causing turbinate hypertrophy to periodically alternate airflow between the two sides of the nose, resulting in intermittent unilateral obstruction approximately every 3 hours. Age, sleep, and posture are among the many physiologic factors that have been shown to modify the nasal cycle. The nasal cycle takes 2 hours when awake and is controlled via the sympathetic nervous system.
The nasal vestibule, or anterior nares, is the first area encountered when moving posteriorly through the nostrils. The first half of the vestibule has a covering of keratinized, stratified squamous epithelium that contains coarse hairs called vibrissae, which filter inhaled particles. The second half of the vestibule is covered in respiratory epithelium, pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium.
There is significant variation in nasal airflow among healthy subjects, and the anatomical structures of the nose and breathing conditions determine nasal airflow patterns. Nasal airflow is also affected by various types of nasal diseases, such as inflammation, allergy, sinusitis, and polyps. Thus, understanding the normal variations in nasal airflow is essential for differentiating disease-related alterations.
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Facial muscles
The human face has about 20 flat skeletal muscles that attach to different places on the skull. These muscles, also called craniofacial muscles, are located around facial openings (mouth, eyes, nose, and ears) or stretch across the skull and neck. They can be categorised into several groups, including the buccolabial muscles in and around the mouth, nasal muscles around the nose, and orbital muscles surrounding the eyes.
The nasal group of facial muscles are associated with movements of the nose and the skin surrounding it. The nasalis muscle, the largest of the nasal muscles, is a sphincter-like muscle that compresses the nasal cartilages and can flare the nostrils. It has two parts: the transverse part and the alar part. The transverse part originates from the maxilla, immediately lateral to the nose, and attaches to the dorsum of the nose. The alar part originates from the maxilla overlying the lateral incisor and attaches to the alar cartilage of the nasal skeleton. The procerus is the most superior of the nasal muscles, lying superficially to the other muscles of facial expression. It originates from the nasal bone and inserts into the skin of the lower medial forehead, helping to flare the nostrils.
The facial muscles work together to control the parts of the face and are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. The buccinator muscle, for example, is a thin muscle in the cheek that holds each cheek toward the teeth, while the masseter muscle runs from each cheek to each side of the jaw and helps the jaw close. The orbicularis oris is a circular composite muscle that surrounds the mouth and forms the majority of the lips. It consists of two parts: the labial and marginal, with the border between them corresponding to the margin between the lips and the surrounding skin.
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Frequently asked questions
Nostrils are holes that lead to your nasal cavities.
The nostrils are not muscles, but they are surrounded by muscles. The nasalis muscle, for example, compresses the nasal cartilages and may "flare" the nostrils. The compressor naris muscle can also compress the nostrils and may even close them completely. The dilator naris muscle flares the nostrils and helps form the upper ridge of the philtrum.
The nostrils are part of the nose, which is the first organ of the respiratory system. The nose warms, filters, and moistens the air we breathe. It also houses the olfactory organs, which give us our sense of smell.
