Musculus transversus nasi
Compresses the nasal passages, working antagonistically to nostril dilators. Helps modulate airflow and contributes to snorting and blowing sounds.
Origin: Nasal cartilage on one side
Insertion: Nasal cartilage on the opposite side (crosses the dorsum)
Action: Compresses the nostrils
Innervation: Dorsal buccal branch of facial nerve (CN VII)
Excessive spasm or fibrosis contributes to upper airway resistance, especially combined with other nasal muscle dysfunction.
Excessive spasm or fibrosis contributes to upper airway resistance, especially combined with other nasal muscle dysfunction. Signs include: Increased nasal noise at rest; reduced snorting ability; asymmetric nasal airflow; mild exercise intolerance.
See the Transverse Nasal Muscle on our interactive 3D horse model. Open 3D Model