Head and neck muscles (chewing, facial, and throat muscles)

Nasalis Muscle

Musculus nasalis

Origin

Maxilla, lateral to the nasal notch (transverse part) and above the lateral incisor (alar part)

Insertion

Aponeurosis over the bridge of the nose (transverse part) and the skin/cartilage of the nasal ala (alar part)

Function

Narrows the nostrils (transverse part) or dilates them during deep inspiration (alar part)

Innervation

Buccal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII)

Movement & chain

The transverse part narrows the nostrils, the alar part dilates them; a mimetic movement relevant to regulating airway resistance during forceful inspiration.

Palpation

Palpable on the bridge of the nose and at the nasal alae when the nostrils are actively narrowed or dilated.

Clinical

In paralysis of the nasal muscle, nasal flaring (compensatory use during respiratory distress) may be diminished or asymmetrical.

Segmental innervation

CN VII, motor.

In clinical practice

Modulates nasal aperture width; nasal valve physical therapy and breathing retraining in nasal obstruction and facial paralysis.

Region in the model

Head and neck muscles (chewing, facial, and throat muscles)