Depressor Septi Nasi

General information

The depressor septi nasi is one of three separate nasal muscles.

Literal meaning

The muscle that presses the partition of the nose down.

Interesting information

This muscle has more than one action, being responsible for constricting the nostrils as well as assisting in flaring the nostrils when deep breaths through the nose are taken.

Origin

Maxilla above the central incisor.

Insertion

Cartilaginous nasal septum.

Function 

Works with the alar part of the nasalis to widen the nasal openings.

Nerve supply

Facial nerve (Cranial nerve VII).

Blood supply

Lateral nasal and septal branches of the facial artery.

Relevant research

A hyperactivated depressor septi nasi is an important factor contributing to nasal tip drooping and is corrected through surgical interventions using an intranasal approach.

Oh, S. H., Choi, S., Kim, D. W., & Jeong, J. Y. (2012). Intranasal approach for manipulating the depressor septi nasi. The Journal of craniofacial surgery, 23(2), 367–369.

Depressor septi nasi exercises

Use your finger to close one nostril and try to flare the other one. Swap over and repeat on the other side.