Depressor septi nasi muscle

The depressor septi nasi muscle (or depressor alae nasi muscle) is a muscle of the face. It connects the incisive fossa of the maxilla and the orbicularis oris muscle to the nasal septum of the nose. It draws the ala of the nose downwards, reducing the size of the nostrils.

Depressor septi nasi
Muscles of the head, face, and neck.
Details
Origin	Incisive fossa of the maxilla
Insertion	Nasal septum and back part of the alar part of nasalis muscle
Nerve	Buccal branch of the facial nerve
Actions	Depresses nasal septum, constricts nostril, moves apex of nose during movement of upper lip (e.g. talking)
Identifiers
Latin	musculus depressor septi nasi
TA98	A04.1.03.012
TA2	2065
FMA	46777
Anatomical terms of muscle

Structure

The depressor septi nasi muscle arises from the incisive foramen of the maxilla. It may also partially originate from the orbicularis oris muscle. Its fibers ascend to be inserted into the nasal septum and back part of the alar part of nasalis muscle.

It lies between the mucous membrane and the muscular structure of the lip.

Function

The depressor septi is a direct antagonist of the other muscles of the nose, drawing the ala of the nose downward, constricting the nostrils.

It works like the alar part of the nasalis muscle.

Clinical significance

During rhinoplasty, repositioning of the head of the depressor septi nasi muscle ensures normal nose position after surgery. Various approaches may be used, with similar results.

Additional images

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  Position of depressor septi nasi muscle (shown in red).

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 382 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)