English

Alternative forms

• filtrum

Noun

philtrum ‎(plural philtra)

1. The shallow groove running down the center of the outer surface of the upper lip.
   • 2005, M. L. Kulkarni, Clinical Methods in Paediatrics: Physical Examination of Children, Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers, India, page 142,

     Oral intercommissural distance (mouth width) and philtrum length are useful measurements for diagnosis of wide or large mouth (macrostomia), small mouth (microstomia), long philtrum and short philtrum and form ‘good handles’ in syndromic delineation.

   • 2007, Loren J. Borud, Arin K. Greene, Chapter 24: Lip Reconstruction, Josef E. Fischer, Kirby I. Bland, et al. (editors), Mastery of Surgery, Volume 1, 5th Edition, page 301,

     Upper lip reconstruction is more difficult than lower lip reconstruction because the upper lip has a central structure, the philtrum. […] Wounds adjacent to the philtrum that are closed primarily may shift the philtrum to the affected side. However, with time, the philtrum will tend to return to its midline position.

   • 2011, Hrishikesh Dubey, Mysteries of Vedic Face Reading, unnumbered page,

     If the philtrum is long and deep, then these people are very romantic, sexual, lively and friendly.

Synonyms

• (shallow groove at center of the upper lip): infranasal depression (in humans)

Translations

See also

• Cupid's bow

References

• Gray's Anatomy

French

Etymology

From the Ancient Greek φίλτρον ‎(phíltron), from φιλέω ‎(philéō, “to love, to kiss”).

Noun

philtrum m ‎(plural philtrums)

1. philtrum