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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Single-stage Dynamic Reanimation of the Smile in Irreversible Facial Paralysis by Free Functional Muscle Transfer
Published on: March 1, 2015
Independent effect of various facial mimetic muscles on the nasolabial fold
1Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756.
Abstract:
The independent effect of the contraction of various facial mimetic muscles on the nasolabial fold was defined through study of cadaver dissections. The four major lip elevator muscles were identified and the effect of traction of these muscles on the nasolabial fold was studied. This study identified the levator alae muscle (levator labii superioris alaeque nasi) as the primary facial muscle responsible for creating the medial nasolabial fold. The levator labii superioris muscle was found to define the middle nasolabial fold. These two facial muscles may be significant in the etiology of the prominent nasolabial fold that occurs with aging.
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