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 . It can be used to test the facial nerve (VII), which supplies it.
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.
Like all the other muscles of facial expression, the nasalis muscle is supplied by the facial nerve (VII).[ 3] [ 4]
The nasalis muscle compresses the nasal cartilages . It may also "flare" the nostrils .[ 2]
Clinical significance [ edit ]
Cleft lip and cleft palate [ edit ]
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 [ edit ]
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]
Muscles of the head, face, and neck. (Nasalis labeled at center left.)
Position of nasalis muscle (shown in red).
^ 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 .
^ a b c d 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 .
^ a b 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 .
^ a b 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 .
^ a b 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 .