306 MUSCLES OF THE NOSE. 



the inferior side, and the internal rolls towards the upper 

 part. 



The Muscle of the Nose. 



There is only one muscle on each side that can be called 

 proper to the nose, though it is affected by several muscles of 

 the face. 



Compressor Naris, (Triangularis seu Transversalis .Mm*,) 



Arises, by a narrow beginning, from the root of the ala nasi 

 externally, where part of the levator labii superioris alaeque 

 nasi is connected to it ; it spreads into a number of thin separate 

 fibres, which run up along the cartilage in an oblique manner 

 towards the dorsum of the nose, where it joins with its fellow, 

 and is 



Inserted slightly into the anterior extremity of the os nasi and 

 nasal process of the superior maxillary bone, where it meets 

 with some of the fibres descending from the occipito-frontalis 

 muscle.* 



Use. To compress the ala towards the septum nasi, particu- 

 larly when we want to smell acutely ; but, if the fibres of the 

 frontal muscle, which adhere to it, act, the upper part of this 

 thin muscle assists to pull the ala outwards. It also corrugates 

 the skin of the nose, and assists in expressing certain passions. 

 It has been called by Columbus dilatans nasi, from a belief, 

 in which, Bourgery coincides, that when it acts with its extrem- 

 ity upon the nose as the fixed point, it dilates the nostril. 

 When the other extremity of the muscle is the fixed point, it 

 compresses it. 



Muscles of the Mouth and Lips. 



The mouth has nine pair of muscles, which are inserted into 

 the lips, and a common one formed by the termination of these ; 



* The nasal slip of fibres descending from the occipito-frontalis, is some- 

 times spoken of as a distinct muscle, under the name of Pyramidalis nasi. 



