Corpus: Nostril
Synonym: wing of nose
1. Definition
The nostrils are movable soft tissue flaps located in the area of the nasal entrance. They frame the nasal vestibule from the lateral side.
2. Anatomy
The cranial border of the nostrils is formed externally by the alaric sulcus and internally by the limen nasi. The lateral crus of the greater alar cartilage, which shapes the nostril, is situated in the connective tissue of the nostril. Additionally, the fibers of the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle, which lifts the nostril, also radiate from this area.
Externally, the nostrils are covered by skin, while the inside is lined with multi-layered keratinized squamous epithelium.