[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Nasalis

[Muscular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/muscular-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/)

# Nasalis

The nasalis is a group of small muscles over and beside the nose; they narrow and widen the nostrils.

Official name: Nasalis muscle

[See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=nasalis&side=r)

Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed.

## What it is

Small muscles over and under the nose.

## What it does

Narrow and widen the nostrils.

## Key points

- Two parts: a transverse part (compressor naris) across the nasal bridge and an alar part (dilator naris) that opens the nostril
- Nostril flaring in a breathless infant is the alar part working hard: a sign of increased work of breathing
- Supplied by the buccal (and zygomatic) branches of the [facial nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/facial-nerve/)

## Key facts

**Origin**
Maxilla over the canine and lateral incisor

**Insertion**
Nasal cartilages and ala

**Action**
Compresses and dilates the nostrils

**Nerve**
Facial nerve (CN VII): buccal and zygomatic branches

**Blood supply**
[Facial artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/facial-artery/) branches

## Relations

**Superficial**
Thin [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/) and subcutaneous tissue of the nasal dorsum and ala

**Deep**
Upper lateral and alar [nasal cartilages](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/major-alar-cartilage/), and the [maxilla](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/maxilla/) over the canine and lateral incisor at its origin

**Above**
[Procerus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/procerus-muscle/), joined across the nasal bridge by an aponeurosis

**Lateral**
[Levator labii superioris](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/levator-labii-superioris/) alaeque nasi beside the ala

**Below**
Depressor septi nasi, a small slip from the maxilla to the base of the columella

## How to find it

Asked to flare the nostrils, the ala lifts out; asked to wrinkle the nose, short oblique «bunny lines» appear on the side of the nasal bridge over the transverse part.

## Examination

- Flaring the nostrils: no movement on one side points to weakness of the facial nerve on that side

## On imaging

Not assessed on imaging: on CT of the face it is part of the thin soft tissue over the [nasal bones](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/nasal-bone/) and the alar cartilages. After a blow to the nose, a simple nasal fracture is mainly a clinical diagnosis and radiographs add little; CT is chosen when the injury may extend to the orbit, ethmoid or septum (naso-orbito-ethmoid fracture).

## Clinical notes

- Weakness after facial palsy lets the ala collapse on breathing in (external nasal valve collapse)
- Botulinum toxin injection over the transverse part is used for «bunny lines»; spread can reach the lip elevators and change the smile
- Rhinoplasty dissection runs deep to this layer, on the cartilages and bone, to keep the soft tissue envelope intact

## Development

Second pharyngeal arch muscle, supplied by the facial nerve like all the muscles of expression.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What are the two parts of the nasalis and what does each do?

A transverse part (compressor naris) across the nasal bridge and an alar part (dilator naris) that opens the nostril.

## Which nerve supplies the nasalis?

The facial nerve (CN VII), through its buccal (and zygomatic) branches.

## What does nostril flaring in a breathless infant reflect, in terms of the nasalis?

The alar part of the nasalis working hard: a sign of increased work of breathing.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/nasalis-muscle/)

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
musculus nasalis TA2 2062

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Músculos nasal y depresor del tabique

**English (TA2)**
Nasalis muscle

## Related

- [Facial nerve (VII)](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/facial-nerve/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Head and Neck: Facial Muscles](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493209/); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Nose](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532870/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Development of the Muscles (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain.

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

---
Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/nasalis-muscle/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/nasalis-muscle/