What is a philtrum?

The philtrum is the midline groove in the upper lip that runs from the top of the lip to the nose. The way the philtrum appears is determined genetically. In some syndromes this grove is shortened. The physical landmarks of the human face are very similar from one face to another.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mountsinai.org

What is the purpose of a philtrum?

The philtrum is believed to serve as a supply of additional skin to be recruited for oral movements requiring stretching of the upper lip. The inferior margin of the philtrum forms the downward arch of the cupid's bow, while the underlying fleshy fullness is known as the tubercle or procheilon.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is a defined philtrum attractive?

The Philtrum is the area right in the middle of the upper lip where there are two ridges and a central hollow. Having a short upper lip with defined philtral ridges is feminine, youthful, and beautiful.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on drspiegel.com

What type of philtrum is attractive?

Overall, most respondents considered the young face (84%) and the aged face (68%) with philtral contours to be more attractive.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on academic.oup.com

Does everyone have a philtrum?

We all have them, though it's puzzled biologists for a long time as to why we do. I'm talking about that odd little groove found below your nose that runs to your top lip. Technically, it's known as your philtrum and it's as ubiquitous to the human face as the nose or eyes.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on iflscience.com

The Whole Truth - Philtrum

17 related questions found

What is the myth of the philtrum?

The angel lightly taps the infant's upper lip before birth to prevent the infant from revealing the secrets of the universe; the infant then forgets the Torah it has been taught. Some believers of the story speculate that this is the cause of the philtrum, but it does not have a basis in traditional Jewish texts.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org

What is the most attractive philtrum length?

A shorter philtrum length with an enhanced cupid's bow is an attribute currently associated with a youthful-looking appearance. It's theorised that the ideal length of the area should be 11-13mm for females and 13-15mm for males, though this varies between individuals.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on 111harleystreet.com

Is philtrum rare?

The philtrum is the most characteristic feature of the upper lip. Variations in its morphology can be seen amongst different individuals and races, but unusual presentations of the philtrum are relatively uncommon except in cases of orofacial defects, malformations, certain syndromes, trauma, and pathologies [1-3].

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What are the prettiest lip shape?

The most sought-after lip shape is heart-shaped. This type of lip features a prominent cupid's bow in the upper lip and a more defined bottom lip. To enhance this shape, use a highlighter or a lip liner in a shade that matches the rest of your skin tone.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on okutandental.com

What is the world most attractive lip shape?

Science has found that the most attractive lip shape has an upper-to-lower lip ratio of 1:2. Lips are most desirable in different shapes and forms for different people – 60% of people prefer a 1:1 ratio where the lips are completely symmetrical and evenly full.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on skintechnique.com

What is the ideal philtrum size female?

The space between the upper lip and nose is called the philtrum. The ideal length of the philtrum is roughly a half-inch (11-13 millimeters) for women and a couple millimeters longer for men. At that length, when your lips are relaxed, the tips of your teeth should be visible.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on drchasan.com

Why is the philtrum called the love charm?

The Latin and Ancient Greek root of “philtrum” is “love charm,” ascribing powers to what they considered one of the most arousing parts of the body. In humans, the shape of the philtrum is treated as a sexual commodity, even, subject to cosmetic surgery and shaping.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on soprissun.com

Does the philtrum flatten with age?

Aging of this area is characterized by perioral fine lines, marionette lines, and flattening of the cupid bow. The philtrum becomes longer and ill defined, indirectly contributing to a thinner upper lip. Furthermore, the dynamics of lip movement change with age.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does philtrum increase with age?

Results: Length of the philtrum and lip width significantly increased with age while upper and lower lip lengths and length of the lower oral commissure significantly decreased with age. The angle of the upper lip tended to decrease with age, but this finding was no significance.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What are some fun facts about philtrum?

Although the philtrum is vestigial in humans, in animals such as dogs, it is a deep channel designed to direct odorants from mouth to smell receptors of the nose. An interesting tradition about the human philtrum is expressed in the 1948 film, Key Largo.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on outlanderanatomy.com

Is philtrum genetic?

The philtrum is the groove that runs from the top of the lip to the nose. The length of the philtrum is passed down from parents to their children through genes. This groove is shortened in people with certain conditions.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ufhealth.org

What are the rarest lip shape?

Full lips tend to be the most common shape which includes symmetrical volume on the top and bottom lip, while a defined cupid's bow or heart-shaped lips are rare and harder to come by.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on lorealparisusa.com

What lips do men find most attractive?

In the study, which was published in the Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, more than 60% of respondents chose the 1:1 ratio between the upper and lower lip as the most attractive shape.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on insider.com

What is the hardest lip shape to fill?

M shaped lips refers to the top lip that resembles the letter “M,” and is the most difficult lip shape to treat. This is because the muscles on the upper lip curls inferiorly and the anatomy can be challenging to release.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cocomedspa.com

What syndrome has a deep philtrum?

People with Noonan syndrome have distinctive facial features such as a deep groove in the area between the nose and mouth (philtrum ), widely spaced eyes that are usually pale blue or blue-green in color, and low-set ears that are rotated backward.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medlineplus.gov

What does having a smooth philtrum mean?

Definition. Flat skin surface, with no ridge formation in the central region of the upper lip between the nasal base and upper vermilion border. [

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What's the difference between medusa and philtrum?

The medusa piercing is an increasingly popular piercing which is placed centrally below the septum of the nose and above the upper lip. As the vertical groove between the base of the nose and the top of the upper lip is anatomically known as the philtrum, this piercing is also known as a philtrum piercing.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on authoritytattoo.com

Is it better to have a bigger top or bottom lip?

The upper lip should be slightly larger than the lower lip with a gentle curve that peaks at what's called cupid's bow. The hinge of the upper lip comes in the form of the central philtrum that separates the two sides. Your upper teeth should also overlap the lower teeth by one millimeter. Your jaw should be level.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on myethosspa.com

Is it more attractive to have a bigger bottom or top lip?

But what does an ideal pair of lips really look like? When it comes to white women, the most attractive mouth has an upper lip that's half as big as the lower lip, a study published Thursday in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery found.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on today.com

Is a bigger top or bottom lip more attractive?

Based on what these online people said, we now know that the most attractive faces are those with a lower lip that's about twice as big as the upper lip; and an overall lip size of about 9.6 percent of the total area of the lower third of the face. Whatever that really means.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on theverge.com