General Medical Information

Action of Dilator Nares

Thomas V. Mccaffrey

The muscles of the external nose, particularly the dilator nares muscles, have phasic respiratory activity. This activity is enhanced during exercise and during increased ventilation. The dilator nares muscles have a role in preventing an increase in nasal resistance by means of dynamic collapse of the ala. In some cases these muscles actually reduce resistance to airflow during hyperventilation.