darkoshi: (Default)
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".
If you don't have an account you can create one now.
HTML doesn't work in the subject.
More info about formatting

May 2026

S M T W T F S
      12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31      

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Thursday, May 14th, 2026 04:13 am
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios