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The nasolabial fold (NLF) is a key landmark for facial animation and rejuvenation. A number of investigations into the anatomy of the nasolabial fold have been carried in the preceding decades [1,2,3], and this continues to be an area of active research for multiple specialties [4] and applications [5, 6].

The investigators have carried out an anatomic study of the soft tissues in the NLF region, with a specific focus on the facial mimetic muscles (FMMs) thought to be responsible for NLF formation. The authors used nano-CT technology to study the relationships of the FMMs in situ, which is an interesting evolution of using cross-sectional imaging to examine these delicate structures.

The authors do a laudable job of describing the limitations of the study, which are mostly due to the specimen size constraints imposed by the nano-CT technology. In the effort to obtain the smallest possible specimen to optimize the resolution of the scans, the specimens examined were harvested from three fetuses of 20–25 weeks gestational age and consisted of hemi-facial soft tissues elevated off the bony skeleton. These are notable considerations for interpreting the results: It is difficult to correlate the size and shape of the FMMs in fetal specimens to adults, or to account for the changes that occur as a result of removing the underlying skeletal scaffold. Moreover, some of the fascial planes the authors describe may change with time. However, it seems reasonable to assume the overall architecture of the FMM insertions is likely maintained, as we are not aware of any evidence to show that the relationships of muscles to each other and their underlying structures change once established.

In their results, the authors give some insight into the fascial relationship in the NLF area by noting that the “Adipose tissue in the cheek was not a mass of unorganized fat. It was separated and fixed by branch fibers.” We have previously noted the importance of the distinct adipo-fascial layer in this area [2] and believe the authors are characterizing a subsection of this layer. As we have proposed, it can act to effectively transmit a vector of pull to the NLF and smooth it out in facial rejuvenation scenarios. The authors’ current description of this relationship in situ may be the next step in developing more efficacious methods of exerting force on the soft tissues around the NLF in a targeted fashion.

The authors’ findings on FMM anatomy are summarized in Fig. 3, where they show that instead of a confluence of muscles at the modiolus, there is an organized sequence of these muscles inserting on each other: The zygomaticus major inserts onto the levator anguli oris, which inserts onto the depressor anguli oris, which actually terminates at the modiolus. In this arrangement, the zygomaticus major has only indirect insertions on the dermis. In contrast, the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi inserts onto the combination of the zygomaticus minor and levator labii superioris, and the whole interconnected complex then inserts into the dermis. Although more detail on the topographic relationships of these direct and indirect cutaneous insertions in relation to the NLF would have been helpful, we would interpret these results as suggesting that the levators labii and the zygomaticus minor are primarily responsible for NLF formation, whereas the other muscles have more impact on the position of the oral commissure.

It is premature to draw direct therapeutic conclusions from these findings, yet we believe they can be of use in facial reanimation surgery to better understand the mechanical apparatus responsible for smiling. Likewise, in facial rejuvenation surgery, the surgeon seeking to minimize the nasolabial folds may now be more aware of the groups of muscles responsible for motion in this area, which may be of value in developing more refined neurotoxin, filler, and rhytidectomy techniques. We congratulate the authors on a novel approach and look forward to seeing future studies directed to clinical application of their findings.