Nasalis muscle
The nasalis muscle is a sphincter-like muscle of the nose. It has a transverse part and an alar part. It compresses the nasal cartilages, and can "flare" the nostrils. Some people can use it to close the nostrils to prevent entry of water when underwater. It can be used to test the facial nerve (VII), which supplies it.
| Nasalis muscle | |
|---|---|
 Muscles of the head, face, and neck. (Nasalis labeled at center left.) | |
| Details | |
| Origin | maxilla |
| Insertion | nasal bone |
| Artery | superior labial artery |
| Nerve | buccal branch of the facial nerve |
| Actions | compresses bridge of nose, depresses tip of nose, elevates corners of nostrils |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | musculus nasalis |
| TA98 | A04.1.03.009 |
| TA2 | 2062 |
| FMA | 46770 |
| Anatomical terms of muscle | |
Structure
The nasalis muscle covers the nasal cartilages of the lower surface of the nose.[1] It consists of two parts, transverse and alar:
- The transverse part (compressor naris muscle) 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 muscle. It compresses the nostrils and may completely close them.[2]
- The alar part (dilator naris muscle) 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 nasi muscle, and has been described as part of that muscle.
Nerve supply
Like all the other muscles of facial expression, the nasalis muscle is supplied by the facial nerve (VII).[3][4]
Function
The nasalis muscle compresses the nasal cartilages. It may also "flare" the nostrils.[2] Some people can use it to close the nostrils to prevent entry of water when underwater.
Clinical significance
Cleft lip and cleft palate
The nasalis muscle is one of the key muscles not formed or inserted correctly with cleft lip and cleft palate deformity.[5] The head of the transverse part needs to be identified during reconstructive surgery so that it can be surgically sutured (connected to) the nasal septum.[2][5] The origin at the maxilla may also be repositioned for better symmetry.[2]
Facial nerve testing
Due to it being superficial, the nasalis muscle can be used to test the facial nerve.[4][6] Specifically, it can be used to test the zygomatic branches.[6]
Additional images
Position of nasalis muscle (shown in red).
Left maxilla. Outer surface.
References
- Menick, Frederick J. (2008). "CHAPTER 4 - Small Superficial Defects — Secondary Intention Healing, Primary Repair, a Skin Graft or Local Flap". Nasal Reconstruction: Art and Practice. Edinburgh: Saunders. pp. 65–90. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-3008-6.50010-7. ISBN 978-0-7020-4279-9. OCLC 460904328.
- Attia, Sarah A.; Helal, Hesham A.; El Barabary, Amir S.; Awad, Mostafa A.; Sherif, Mahmoud M. (2019-02-01). "Impact of nasalis muscle repair in unilateral cleft lip patients". Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery. 47 (2): 255–262. doi:10.1016/j.jcms.2018.11.030. ISSN 1010-5182. PMID 30591393. S2CID 58622464 – via ScienceDirect.
- "Nasalis". www.anatomynext.com. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
- Sanders, Donald B. (2012). "17 - Electrophysiologic Study of Disorders of Neuromuscular Transmission". Aminoff's Electrodiagnosis in Clinical Neurology (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Saunders. pp. 385–406. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4557-0308-1.00017-0. ISBN 978-1-4557-0308-1. OCLC 793587054.
- Drake, David; Colbert, Serryth (2017). "67 - Techniques for Cleft Lip Repair". Maxillofacial Surgery (3rd ed.). St. Louis: Churchill Livingstone. pp. 948–971. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-6056-4.00067-8. ISBN 978-0-7020-6059-5. OCLC 968339962.
- Preston, David C.; Shapiro, Barbara E. (2013). "25 - Facial and Trigeminal Neuropathy". Electromyography and neuromuscular disorders : clinical-electrophysiological correlations (3rd ed.). London: Saunders. pp. 372–383. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4557-2672-1.00025-8. ISBN 978-1-4557-4473-2. OCLC 821857515.