Myrtiformis muscle

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 22 Sep 2021

Myrtiformis muscle, also known as depressor alae nasi, is one of the muscles of the nose, a subset of the facial muscles

Myrtiformis is often omitted from classic anatomy tomes. Some texts describe this muscle as two separate components, the medial fibers forming the depressor septi nasalis muscle, and the lateral fibers forming depressor alae nasi 1.

  • anterior labial fibers: insert into the upper lip
  • posterior nasal fibers: insert into the nostril floor, specifically the nostril sill and base of the columella
  • depresses and flares the nostril

Muscles of the nose vary in size between individuals and may be entirely absent 3.

Myrtiformis is derived from the Latin for 'shaped like myrtle berries' 2.

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