Which muscle flares the nostrils during anger?

Prepare for the VTCT Level 2 Facial and Skincare Test. Revise with flashcards and multiple choice questions, accompanied by insightful explanations. Ace your assessment with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which muscle flares the nostrils during anger?

The nostril flare during anger comes from the Nasalis muscle, specifically its alar part that dilates the nostrils. When anger triggers this muscle, the nostrils open wider to allow more air, which is a common facial reflex. The other muscles listed don’t do this: the deltoid moves the shoulder, the occipitalis moves the scalp, and the procerus pulls the skin between the eyebrows downward to deepen a frown rather than flare the nostrils. So, Nasalis is the correct muscle for nostril flaring.

The nostril flare during anger comes from the Nasalis muscle, specifically its alar part that dilates the nostrils. When anger triggers this muscle, the nostrils open wider to allow more air, which is a common facial reflex. The other muscles listed don’t do this: the deltoid moves the shoulder, the occipitalis moves the scalp, and the procerus pulls the skin between the eyebrows downward to deepen a frown rather than flare the nostrils. So, Nasalis is the correct muscle for nostril flaring.

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