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The nose region contains a system of muscle fibres that produce four main movements. The muscles responsible for nostril movement are the nasalis muscle, the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, and the depressor septi nasi. The nasalis muscle is generally considered to have two parts: the alar part (wings of the nose) and the transverse part. The alar part opens the nostrils by pulling the alar cartilage down and to the side, while the transverse part compresses the nasal aperture and wrinkles the skin on the top of the nose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle responsible for nostril movement | Nasalis muscle |
| Parts of the nasalis muscle | Alar part and transverse part |
| Functions of the alar part | Wrinkling the skin of the wings, lowering the wings to the sides, opening the nostrils |
| Functions of the transverse part | Wrinkling the skin on the top of the nose, compressing the nasal aperture |
| Nasalis muscle and cleft lip/palate deformity | Incorrect insertion of the transverse nasalis muscle and displacement of the septum can cause cleft lip and/or palate deformity |
| Nasalis muscle and facial expressions | The nasalis muscle is a facial expression muscle used to convey emotions such as anger, confusion, and disgust |
| Nasalis muscle and facial nerve | The nasalis muscle is innervated by the facial nerve (CNVII) |
| Nasalis muscle and constriction | Some people can constrict the nasalis muscle enough to prevent water from entering their nostrils when swimming |
| Nasalis muscle and Botox | Botox can be used to treat static and dynamic rhytids in the infraocular space, affecting the nasalis muscle |
| Nasalis muscle and surgical procedures | The nasalis muscle can be used to test the facial nerve, specifically the zygomatic branches, during reconstructive surgery |
| Other muscles associated with the nose | Procerus muscle, depressor septi nasi, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi |
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What You'll Learn
Nasalis muscle
The nasalis muscle is a nasal muscle of facial expression. It is the largest of the nasal muscles and is made up of two parts: the transverse and the alar. The transverse part originates from the maxilla, immediately lateral to the nose and attaches to an aponeurosis across 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 transverse part of the nasalis muscle, also known as the compressor naris, compresses the nasal aperture and wrinkles the nasal skin. The alar part, also known as the dilator naris posterior, dilates the nostrils as it pulls the ala laterally. This action enables the flaring of the nostrils during breathing and is emphasised in emotionally driven situations.
The nasalis muscle works in combination with several other muscles to create movement. It is derived from the second pharyngeal arch and is innervated by the facial nerve (CN VII) or the buccal branch of the facial nerve (CN VII). The blood supply to the nasalis muscle comes from the superior labial, septal, and lateral nasal branches of the facial artery, and the infraorbital branch of the maxillary artery.
The nasalis muscle is one of the key muscles that may not be formed or inserted correctly in people with cleft lip and cleft palate deformity. During reconstructive surgery, the head of the transverse part needs to be identified so that it can be surgically sutured to the nasal septum.
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Facial expressions
The nasalis muscle is responsible for flaring or dilating the nostrils, as well as wrinkling the nose. It is composed of two parts: the alar part and the transverse part. The alar part, also known as the wings of the nose, influences the skin of the wings, pulling them down and to the sides, which opens the nostrils. The transverse part, on the other hand, compresses the nasal aperture and wrinkles the skin on the top of the nose. Together, these two parts work in conjunction to move the nose to the sides and create different facial expressions.
The nasalis muscle is a facial expression muscle that is used to convey emotions such as anger, confusion, and disgust. It is innervated by the facial nerve (CNVII), which originates from the second pharyngeal arch during embryonic development. The nasalis muscle is also clinically significant in cleft lip and cleft palate deformities, where its incorrect insertion can lead to nasal deformities.
In addition to the nasalis muscle, other muscles contribute to nostril movement and facial expressions. These include the procerus muscle, which elevates the tip of the nose, and the depressor septi nasi, which lowers the nasal septum. The levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, associated with the oral group of muscles, also plays a role in dilating the nasal orifices.
The complex interplay of these muscles allows for subtle and expressive facial movements, contributing to our ability to communicate emotions and intentions through facial expressions. Understanding the anatomy and functions of these muscles is crucial in fields such as medicine, psychology, and even animation, where accurate depictions of facial expressions are essential.
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Wrinkling your nose
The nasalis muscle is responsible for wrinkling your nose. This muscle is considered a facial expression muscle and is used to convey emotions such as anger, confusion and disgust.
The nasalis muscle has two parts: the alar part (wings of the nose) and the transverse part. They work together to move your nose from side to side, wrinkle it and flare up the wings. The alar part has a greater influence on the skin of the wings, pulling them down and to the sides, which also opens the nostrils. The transverse part, which covers most of the nose, is responsible for wrinkling the skin on the top of your nose.
The nasalis muscle is one of the key muscles that is not formed or inserted correctly in cleft lip and cleft palate deformities. It can be used to test the facial nerve, specifically the zygomatic branches.
The nose region contains a system of muscle fibres that produce four main movements:
- Elevation of the nose tip by means of the procerus muscle
- Constriction of the nasal orifices through depression of the pinnae by means of the nasalis muscle
- Dilation of the nasal orifices by means of the levator labii superioris alaquae nasi (LLSAN)
- Lowering of the nasal septum by means of the depressor septi nasi
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Opening the nostrils
The nostrils, or external nasal valves, are opened by the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle, also known as LLSAN. This muscle originates on the frontal process of the maxilla and inserts on the alar cartilage and upper lip. Its function is to open the nostril and elevate the upper lip.
The nasalis muscle, which has both alar and transverse parts, also plays a role in opening the nostrils. The alar part of the nasalis muscle opens the nostrils by pulling the alar cartilage down and to the side. This part of the muscle is responsible for the skin of the wings of the nose, lowering it to the sides and opening the nostrils.
The transverse part of the nasalis muscle, on the other hand, compresses the nasal aperture and wrinkles the nasal skin. It arises from the maxilla bone, above and lateral to the incisive fossa, and covers most of the nose.
Together, these muscles work in conjunction with several other muscles to create movement and facial expressions. The complex anatomy of the perioral region, which includes the nostrils, is influenced by genetics and environmental variation, resulting in unique variations in the shape of the nostrils, angle of the nasal tip, and width of the nasal bridge across individuals.
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Constriction and dilation
The nostrils, or nasal orifices, are moved by a group of facial muscles known as the nasal muscles. These muscles are involved in facial expressions and regulate the size of the nostrils through constriction and dilation.
Constriction
Also referred to as compression, constriction of the nostrils is achieved through the depression of the pinnae by the nasalis muscle. The nasalis muscle is considered to have two parts: the alar part (wings of the nose) and the transverse part. The alar part opens the nostrils by pulling the alar cartilage down and to the side, while the transverse part compresses the nasal aperture and wrinkles the nasal skin.
Dilation
The dilation of the nostrils, or nasal flair, is achieved by the levator labii superioris alaquae nasi (LLSAN) muscle. Originating on the frontal process of the maxilla, the LLSAN inserts on the alar cartilage and upper lip, functioning to open the nostril and elevate the upper lip.
The nasal muscles work in conjunction with several other muscles to create movement. The complex anatomy of the nose region includes a deep and superficial muscular layer, separated by a plane containing the branching of the facial nerve.
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Frequently asked questions
The nasalis muscle flares the nostrils.
The nasalis muscle is generally considered to have two parts: the alar part (wings of the nose) and the transverse part.
The alar part of the nasalis muscle opens the nostril by pulling the alar cartilage down and to the side.
The transverse part of the nasalis muscle compresses the nasal aperture and wrinkles the nasal skin.
The nasal muscles are a group of facial muscles that regulate the size of the nostrils and are involved in facial expressions.
