The nasalis muscle covers the nasal cartilages of the lower surface of the nose.

[1] It consists of two parts, transverse and alar: Like all the other muscles of facial expression, the nasalis muscle is supplied by the facial nerve (VII).

[2] The nasalis muscle is one of the key muscles not formed or inserted correctly with cleft lip and cleft palate deformity.

[5] The head of the transverse part needs to be identified during reconstructive surgery so that it can be surgically sutured (connected to) the nasal septum.

[2] Due to it being superficial, the nasalis muscle can be used to test the facial nerve.