The depressor alae nasi (depressor septi nasi variant) pulls the nasal tip inferiorly during smile animation, producing the characteristic nose drop in some individuals during smiling.
| Origin | Incisive fossa of the maxilla — above the central incisor |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Alar cartilage — medial crus and the skin of the nasal tip |
| Nerve Supply | Facial nerve — buccal branch (VII) |
| Blood Supply | Superior labial artery |
| Actions | Depresses the nasal tip during smiling and animation; Narrows the nasal aperture |
|---|
Nasal tip ptosis during smiling from over-active depressor alae nasi is addressed by botulinum injection at the nasal base or by surgical transection of the muscle during rhinoplasty. Its release is part of the standard rhinoplasty dissection for tip deprojection.
Observed during smiling — the nasal tip descends in individuals with strong depressor alae nasi activity.
Dynamic nasal tip descent during smile animation from strong depressor alae nasi activity, managed by botulinum injection or surgical transection during rhinoplasty.
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