Nasalis muscle

Nasalis muscle
The superior transverse part and inferior alar part of the nasalis muscle
Details
OriginMaxilla
InsertionNasal bone
ArterySuperior labial artery
NerveBuccal branch of the facial nerve
ActionsCompresses bridge of nose, depresses tip of nose, elevates corners of nostrils
Identifiers
Latinmusculus nasalis
TA98A04.1.03.009
TA22062
FMA46770
Anatomical terms of 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. It can be used to test the facial nerve (VII), which supplies it.