Anterior naris

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 16 Dec 2021

The anterior (or external) nares (singular: naris) (a.k.a. nostrils) are openings that form the entrance to the nose. Each naris is formed by a ring of structures:

By virtue of the actions of the nasalis muscle, namely compressor naris and dilatator naris, the nostrils are narrowed or flared respectively.

NB: the posterior nares are a synonym for the nasal choanae

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