It has origins from the nasal notch of the maxilla and the major alar cartilage, and a single insertion near the margin of the nostril.

The dilator naris muscle is supplied by the facial nerve (VII).

[4] The respiratory centre of the brainstem can use the muscle to control nostril width in relation to breathing.

[2] The function of the dilator naris muscle can be used as an analogue for the activity of the facial nerve (VII).

[4] This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 382 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)