Muscles surrounding the nasal aperture
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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In the area of the nasal apertures there are several small, weakly developed muscles that widen or narrow these openings. This is the nasal muscle and the muscle that lowers the septum of the nose.
The nasal muscle (m.nasalis) consists of two parts: the transverse and the wing.
The transverse part (pars transversa) begins on the upper jaw, somewhat higher and lateral to the upper incisors. The tufts of this part of the muscle follow upward and medially, continuing into a thin aponeurosis that sweeps through the cartilaginous part of the back of the nose and passes into the same muscle of the opposite side.
Function: Narrows the aperture of the nostrils.
The wing part (pars alaris) begins on the upper jaw below and is medial to the transverse part and is woven into the skin of the wing of the nose.
Function: pulls the wing of the nose down and laterally, widening the opening of the nose (nostrils).
Innervation: facial nerve (VII).
Blood supply: upper labial and angular arteries.
The muscle that lowers the septum of the nose (m.depressor septi nasi) is more often a part of the nose part of the nasal muscle. Bunches of this muscle begin above the medial incisor of the upper jaw, attached to the cartilaginous part of the septum of the nose.
Function: pulls the nasal septum down.
Innervation: facial nerve (VII).
Blood supply: upper labial artery.
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