facial anatomy: philtrum

[darkoshi]

I wondered if there was a word for "the vertical indentation of skin under the center of the nose". Yes, Philtrum.

About 2 years ago when looking in the mirror, I started noticing that my philtrum looked narrower and/or deeper than it used to. It was more shadowed inside. The change was slightly disconcerting.

It may be related to aging. This page mentions philtrums getting longer as you age:
How your philtrum gives your age away

While searching for the word, I came across this interesting discussion:
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/166884/what-is-the-name-of-the-area-of-skin-between-the-nose-and-the-upper-lip-mouth

It says that from an anatomical or medical sense, what I'd call the lips (or the upper and lower lip) is called vermilion, and the skin above and below those lips is called your upper and lower lip. So the terms "lip", "upper lip", and "lower lip" are ambiguous.

Per its etymology, philtrum originally meant "love charm".

Comments

[mellowtigger]

I knew about the name, but I didn't know that it changed over time. That's cool. I thought it was limited to gestation, where it forms as the meat-plates of our face tissues migrate/grow to meet there, leaving a lasting scar as the philtrum. I saw this BBC video a while back, which illustrates the process.

[darkoshi]

That process looks strange but it is interesting.

The storm

[marahmarie]

Couldn't decide if I should text or post here, was kind of waiting on an update from you so sans one, did you make it through the storm okay? I can't remember exactly where in your state you are and saw it cut through the lower middle half kinda the same way it cut through mine (we're fine, missed us altogether).

Re: The storm

[darkoshi]

I'm fine. We're far enough inland that we only got a bunch of rain.

Re: The storm

[marahmarie]

Glad to hear. I'd have traded you that rain for our wind gusts. Hasn't rained in weeks, won't be for another few weeks, have to hand water everything, quite the job.

Re: philtrum

[marahmarie]

Did you know the longer it is the smarter one supposedly is? And that if it's subtle or missing you can safely suspect fetal alcohol syndrome? TMYK

Re: philtrum

[darkoshi]

Per this there are many conditions that can cause a long philtrum. I didn't know that about fetal alcohol syndrome.

Re: philtrum

[marahmarie]

Wow, that list is as as long as my arm, never knew any diseases could cause it before.