Depressor septi nasi muscle

The depressor septi (depressor alae nasi) arises from the incisive fossa of the maxilla.

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	Depression of nasal septum. Constricts the nares (nostril). Moves the apex of the 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

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 muscular structure of the lip.

Action

The depressor septi is a direct antagonist of the other muscles of the nose, drawing the ala of the nose downward, and thereby constricting the aperture of the nares.

Works like the alar part of the nasalis muscle.

Additional images

• 
  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)