Compressor naris muscle

Compressor naris muscle forms the transverse component of nasalis muscle, and is one of the muscles of the nose, a subset of the muscles of facial expression.

Summary

• origin: frontal process of maxilla​​
• insertion: ​medial insertion into a transverse aponeurosis
• innervation: facial nerve (VII)
• action: sphincteric narrowing of the nostril

Gross anatomy

Origin

• fibers originate from the frontal process of the maxilla

Insertion

• fibers from the muscle on each side pass medially, forming a thin continuous transverse aponeurosis across the dorsum of the nose

​​Arterial supply

• facial artery

Venous drainage

• facial vein

Innervation

• buccal nerve (branch of facial nerve (VII))​

Action

Its overall action is to oppose the dilator naris and narrow the anterior nares

• pulls the nasal ala inwards closer to the nasal septum
• pulls the nasal cartilages towards the upper lip

Variant anatomy

Muscles of the nose vary in size between individuals and may be entirely absent .