The Nasalis (Compressor naris) is a sphincter-like muscle of the nose whose function is to compress the nasal cartilege. It consists of two parts, transverse and alar. The transverse part arises from the maxilla, above and lateral to the incisive fossa; its fibers proceed upward and medialward, expanding into a thin aponeurosis which is continuous on the bridge of the nose with that of the muscle of the opposite side, and with the aponeurosis of the Procerus. The alar part is attached by one end to the greater alar cartilage, and by the other to the integument at the point of the nose. The maxillae are the largest bones of the face, except for the mandible, and form, by their union, the whole of the upper jaw. ... Aponeurosis is the singular of Aponeuroses Grays Anatomy states that Aponeuroses are flattened or ribbon-shaped tendons, of a pearly white color, iridescent, glistening, and similar in structure to the tendons. ...

References

• Gray's Anatomy, 1918 ed (courses.yahoo.com, accessed 23 July 2005)