Philtrum
| Philtrum | |
|---|---|
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| Philtrum highlighted in sunlight | |
| Precursor | medial nasal prominence[1] |
The philtrum (Greek φιλτρον philtron, from φιλειν philein 'to love; to kiss'), also known as the infranasal depression, is the vertical groove in the upper lip, formed where the nasomedial and maxillary processes meet during embryonic development. It has no apparent function besides its visual prominence[2].
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Pathology
When these processes fail to fuse fully, a cleft lip (sometimes called a "hare lip") can result.
A flattened or smooth philtrum can be a symptom of Fetal alcohol syndrome.[3]
Etymology
The ancient Greeks believed that the philtrum was one of the most erogenous spots on the human body, hence the etymology.[4]
Aquatic ape hypothesis
The aquatic ape hypothesis provides a potential explanation for the philtrum, in combination with a hooded nose, as a means of blocking off the nostrils to prevent water infiltration while swimming and diving. Several people have reported an ability to block their nostrils completely with the philtrum.[5] The aquatic ape hypothesis is not widely accepted within mainstream paleoanthropology.[6]
Mythology
According to the Jewish Talmud (Niddah 30b), God sends an angel to each womb and teaches a baby all the wisdom that can be obtained. Just before the unborn baby comes out, the angel touches it between the upper lip and the nose and all that it has taught the baby is forgotten.
Similarly, in other folksayings, it is said that an angel "shushes" the baby in the womb, to stop it from talking about heaven, or to forget. Other stories say that it is an indent left by the finger of God. Still more say that it is the spot where the angel put his finger to "shush" the child after having told it a secret. (This was memorably mentioned in the film The Prophecy by the archangel Gabriel (Christopher Walken).)
See also
References
- ^ hednk-032 — Embryology at UNC
- ^ Goossens, S.; A. Wilk, C. Meyer (2002). "Congenital minor malformations of the soft tissue and muscle of the philtrum with associated nasal deformity". European Journal of Plastic Surgery 25 (4): 222-225. doi:. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00238-002-0375-7. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ FAS Clinical
- ^ Philtrum at eMedicine Dictionary
- ^ Morgan, Elaine (1997). The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis. Souvenir Press. ISBN 0-285-63518-2.
- ^ Meier, R (2003). The complete idiot's guide to human prehistory. Alpha Books. pp. 57-59. ISBN 0028644212.
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