Overall, several muscles are associated with the nasal opening, and the nasal group of the facial muscles includes the following muscles:

Nasalis, consisting of two parts:
- Transverse nasalis
- Alar nasalis
Compressor narium minor
Dilator naris anterior
Procerus
Depressor septi nasi
Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi

Nasalis

The nasalis is responsible for narrowing and widening the nostrils. It is composed of two parts:

Transverse part (transverse nasalis) - this part compresses and closes the nostrils; it arises from the maxilla - superolateral to the incisive fossa; it inserts into the aponeurosis of the bridge of the nose;
Alar part (alar nasalis) - this portion widens the nostrils; it originates from the frontal process of the maxilla above the maxillary lateral incisor tooth and inserts into the skin along the wing of the nose.

Compressor narium minor

The compressor narium minor is a small inconsistent muscle located in the nose region. Along with the transverse nasalis, it compresses the nostrils.

The compressor narium minor is present in slightly more than half of individuals and seems to play a role in decreasing the nasal aperture and narrowing the nostrils.

Dilator naris anterior

The dilator naris anterior encircles the nostril and participates in widening it. This muscle along with the dilator naris posterior are sometimes referred to as part of the nasalis muscle.

Together with the alar part of the nasalis, the dilator naris anterior also may prevent collapse of the nasal valve during inspiration.

Procerus

The procerus is an inconstant facial muscle that is located between the dorsum of the nose and the forehead.

This muscle originates from the midline of the nasal bone and the lateral nasal cartilage, while it inserts into the skin of the lower part of the forehead between the eyebrows (glabella). It also ends by blending with the fibers of the frontalis.

The procerus depresses the medial eyebrow angle. Contractions of this muscle also produce a transverse fold across the root of the nose.

Depressor septi nasi

The depressor septi nasi is a tringular-shaped muscle that is found in the lower nose region. It originates from the incisive fossa of the maxilla and inserts into the nasal septum and the posterior aspect of the alar nasalis.

The depressor septi nasi depresses the nasal septum and pulls the wings of the nose downward, constricting the aperture of the nostrils, thus working similarly as the alar nasalis.

Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi

The levator labii superioris alaeque nasi is a relatively long muscle of facial expression, and it is found around the oral and nose openings. It widens the nostrils and elevates the upper lip, thus enabling the "snarl" expression in the face.

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Nasal group of facial muscles