Nasalis

The nasalis (Latin: musculus nasalis) is a paired facial muscle located in the area of the nose. It is classified as the nasal facial muscle. The nasalis is responsible for narrowing and widening the nostrils.

The nasalis is composed of two parts - the transverse and alar parts. The first one is also called the transverse nasalis, it compresses the nostrils. The alar part is known as the alar nasalis, and it widens the nostrils.

Like other facial muscles, the nasalis is innervated by the branches of the facial nerve (CN VII). Arterial blood supply the nasalis receives from the branches of the facial artery and infraorbital branch of the maxillary artery.