A phenomenon the authors have termed oculonasal synkinesis has been ob
served in 13 individuals in two independent practices. This complex pr
esents as simultaneous contraction of the orbicularis oculi and the co
mpressor narium minor muscles. When the patient blinks, the compressor
narium minor muscle contracts, causing depression of the ala. Its eti
ology is postulated as the formation of anomalous connections between
the temporal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve, innervating t
he orbicularis oculi muscle, and the buccal branches of the facial ner
ve, innervating the compressor narium minor muscle. All 13 individuals
who exhibited this phenomenon are female. This anomaly was displayed
bilaterally in 7 patients, on the right side in 2 patients, and on the
left side in 4 patients. A 2-month-old daughter of one of the patient
s who had bilateral presentation, also displayed the phenomenon. In 6
patients who underwent rhinoplasty, resection of the compressor narium
minor muscle resulted in complete elimination of the abnormal muscle
movement. The plastic surgeon who performs rhinoplasty should be cogni
zant of the synkinesis and discuss its presence with the patient, sinc
e a patient may consider this a surgical sequela upon discovering the
condition postoperatively. Furthermore, this unintentional muscle func
tion is aesthetically displeasing.