Maximus Gage
The human face has about 20 facial muscles that help with chewing and making facial expressions. One of these muscles is the nasalis muscle, which is responsible for compressing the nasal cartilages and flaring the nostrils. The depressor septi nasi muscle, located on the underside of the nasal septum, is also involved in flaring the nostrils by pulling the nose down and constricting its wings. The procerus muscle, on the other hand, pulls the medial portions of the eyebrows downward, resulting in wrinkling over the bridge of the nose.
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What You'll Learn
The nasalis muscle
The transverse section merges with the procerus at the bridge of the nose and sits on the cartilaginous part of the nose. Extending down the sides of the nose, it attaches to the maxilla just above the lateral incisive fossa. This part is responsible for compressing the nasal aperture and the expression made when smelling something unpleasant. The wrinkling of the nose in an upward fashion due to the transverse section is sometimes referred to as "bunny lines."
The alar portion of the nasalis draws the nares and posterior part of the columella down and out, resulting in widened nares and an elongated nose. Treatment of the alar portion with BoNT-A can slim the flair of the alar.
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The depressor septi nasi muscle
Upon contraction, the depressor septi nasi depresses the nasal septum and pulls the wing of the nose downward, constricting the aperture of the nostril. It works similarly to the alar part of the nasalis muscle. The depressor septi nasi muscle receives nerve supply from the buccal branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) and is supplied by the superior labial branch of the facial artery.
In some rhinoplasty patients, hyperactivity of the depressor septi nasi muscle while smiling or speaking can cause a deformity that includes drooping of the nasal tip, elevation and shortening of the upper lip, and increased maxillary gingival show. The dissection of the depressor septi nasi muscle during rhinoplasty can improve the tip-upper lip relationship in appropriately selected patients. There are two surgical techniques for depressor septi nasi muscle treatment: the transnasal and transoral techniques. The release of this muscle can also cause slight ptosis of the upper lip, which may not be beneficial in patients with a long upper lip.
The anatomy of the depressor septi nasi has been well studied by Rod Rohrich. It has four proximal attachments: footplates of the medial crura, caudal septum, dermocartilaginous ligament, and anterior nasal spine. The muscle is divided by the nasal septum into bilateral and symmetric portions. Three variations of the depressor septi muscle have been delineated: Type I (62%), Type II (22%), and Type III (16%).
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The procerus muscle
The primary function of the procerus muscle is to pull down the medial portions of the eyebrows, resulting in wrinkling or furrowing of the skin between them, often referred to as "frown lines." This action enables expressions of emotion, such as frowning, squinting, or concentration, and is an important contributor to the range of human facial expressions. Over time, the repeated contraction of the procerus muscle can lead to the development of permanent wrinkles on the glabellar skin.
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The LLSAN muscle
The levator labii superioris alaeque nasi (LLSAN) muscle is traditionally considered a muscle of the mouth but is also crucial to the nose. It has the longest name of any muscle in the human body. The LLSAN is one of the most consistent muscles of facial expression and is involved in nasal flaring.
The LLS and surrounding perioral muscles facilitate complex mouth and nose movements for varied facial expressions and speech. The movements of the alar facial crease are predominantly directed by its attached muscles, with the LLSAN, LLS, and nasalis' alar part manoeuvring the crease in specific directions to produce facial movements.
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The Zygomaticus minor muscle
Pain in the Zygomaticus minor muscle can be caused by a fractured cheekbone, often sustained in traffic accidents, contact sports, or falls. This can result in internal bleeding that affects the function of the brain, and may cause pain in the mouth or eye. A CT scan or X-ray can determine if a fracture is present.
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Frequently asked questions
The nasalis muscle is responsible for flaring the nostrils.
The nasalis muscle also compresses the nasal cartilages and is responsible for the expression made when smelling something bad.
The transverse part of the nasalis muscle compresses the nasal aperture.
The alar part of the nasalis draws the nares and posterior part of the columella down and out, widening the nares and elongating the nose.
The procerus muscle pulls down the medial portions of the eyebrows, resulting in wrinkling over the bridge of the nose. The depressor septi nasi muscle acts as an anchor to the nose, pulling it down and constricting its wings.
