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AnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpNasalis muscle
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AnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpNasalis muscle

Nasalis muscle

Author: Jana Vasković, MD • Reviewer: Nicola McLaren, MSc
Last reviewed: November 03, 2023
Reading time: 5 minutes

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Overview of the muscles responsible for facial expression.
Nasalis muscle (Musculus nasalis)

Nasalis is a paired muscle that covers the dorsum of the nose. It consists of two parts; alar and transverse. The alar part is also called dilator naris posterior, and the transverse part is known also as the compressor naris. Together with procerus, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi and depressor septi muscles, nasalis belongs to the nasal group of facial muscles.

Like all facial muscles, nasalis is derived from the second pharyngeal arch and thus is innervated by the facial nerve (CN VII). This muscle dilates the nostrils, depresses the ala nasi (nostril wings) laterally and wrinkles the nasal skin. These actions enable flaring of nostrils, which occurs during breathing and is emphasized in various emotionally driven situations.

Key facts about the nasalis muscle
Origin Alar part: Frontal process of maxilla (superior to lateral incisor)
Transverse part: Maxilla (superolateral to incisive foramen)
Insertion Alar part: Skin of ala;
Transverse part: Merges with counterpart at dorsum of nose
Action Alar part: Depresses ala laterally, dilates nostrils
Transverse part: Wrinkles skin of dorsum of nose
Innervation Buccal branch of facial nerve (CN VII)
Blood supply Superior labial, septal, and lateral nasal branches of facial artery;
Infraorbital branch of maxillary artery

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the nasalis muscle.

Contents
  1. Origin and insertion
  2. Relations
  3. Innervation
  4. Blood supply
  5. Function
  6. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and insertion

Nasalis muscle
Musculus nasalis
Synonyms: none

Nasalis muscles are found on each side of the midline, respectively. Each muscle is composed of two parts; lateral or transverse part (compressor naris) and medial or alar part (dilator naris posterior). 

The transverse part covers the dorsum of the nose. It originates from the maxilla, attaching superolateral to the incisive foramen. Its fibers then course superomedially, expanding into a thin aponeurosis at the bridge of the nose. Via this aponeurosis, the muscle inserts at the dorsum of the nose by blending with its counterpart from the opposite side.

The alar part comprises the nostrils. It originates from the frontal process of maxilla, just superior to the lateral incisor. After a short superoanterior course, it inserts to the skin of ala, superior to the lateral crus of major alar cartilage. Here, some fibers blend with the transverse part of nasalis.

Relations

Nasalis muscle
Musculus nasalis
1/3
Synonyms: none

Nasalis lies superficial to the nasal bone and lateral nasal cartilage, being covered by the nasal skin. The inserting fibers of its transverse part are directly related to, and may partially blend with, the aponeurosis of procerus muscle. The alar part lies lateral to the depressor septi muscle.

A small muscle called dilator nasi anterior, or apicis nasi, attaches to the anterior margin of the alar part of nasalis muscle. Several arteries and nerves course over the superior surface of nasalis including, the facial artery, terminal branches of the infraorbital artery and nerve, and the external nasal artery and nerve.

Innervation

Nasalis muscle is innervated by the buccal branch of facial nerve (CN VII).

Blood supply

Blood supply to nasalis comes from the superior labial, septal and lateral nasal branches of facial artery, and the infraorbital branch of maxillary artery.

Buccal branches of facial nerve
Rami buccales nervi facialis
1/3
Synonyms: Buccal branches, Rami bucinatorii nervi facialis

Function

The transverse part of nasalis wrinkles the nasal skin and compresses the nasal aperture, hence its other name compressor naris. The alar part dilates the nostrils as it pulls the ala laterally, thus its name dilator naris posterior.

All these actions of nasalis normally happen prior to each inspirium, in order to prevent the external nasal valve from collapsing. This function of nasalis is even more notable during deep breathing when these movements are more obvious, as well as in affective emotional states such as anger.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

  • Brennan, P. A., Mahadevan, V., & Evans, B. T. (2016). Clinical head and neck anatomy for surgeons. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group
  • Hiatt, J. L., & Gartner, L. P. (2010). Textbook of head and neck anatomy (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Palastanga, N., & Soames, R. (2012). Anatomy and human movement: structure and function (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

Illustrations:

  • Nasalis muscle (Musculus nasalis) - Yousun Koh

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