Myrtiformis muscle
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Bell D, Myrtiformis muscle. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 18 Feb 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-67207
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rID:
67207
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Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Daniel J Bell had no recorded disclosures.
View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures
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Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Daniel J Bell had no recorded disclosures.
View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures
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Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Depressor alae nasi muscle
- Myrtiformis muscles
- Depressor alae nasi muscles
Myrtiformis muscle, also known as depressor alae nasi, is one of the muscles of the nose, a subset of the facial muscles.
On this page:
Terminology
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.
Summary
- origin: maxilla
- insertion: floor of the nostril
- innervation: facial nerve (VII)
- action: depresses and flares the nostril
Gross anatomy
Origin
- arises from the myrtiform fossa of the maxilla, superior to the lateral incisor and canine, and ascends to its insertion site
Insertion
- 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
Arterial supply
Venous drainage
Innervation
- buccal branch of facial nerve (VII)
Action
- depresses and flares the nostril
Variant anatomy
Muscles of the nose vary in size between individuals and may be entirely absent 3.
History and etymology
Myrtiformis is derived from the Latin for 'shaped like myrtle berries' 2.
References
- 1. Daniel RK, Glasz T, Molnar G, Palhazi P, Saban Y, Journel B. The lower nasal base: an anatomical study. (2013) Aesthetic surgery journal. 33 (2): 222-32. doi:10.1177/1090820X12472695 - Pubmed
- 2. William Alexander Newman Dorland. Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. (2018) ISBN: 9781416023647
- 3. Chummy S. Sinnatamby. Last's Anatomy. (2018) ISBN: 9780702033940
Incoming Links
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