Philtrum

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Image:Philtrum.PNG The philtrum (Greek philtron, "love potion") is the vertical groove in the upper lip, formed where the nasomedial and maxillary processes meet during embryonic development. When these processes fail to fuse fully, a cleft lip (sometimes called a "hare lip") can result. The ancient Greeks used to believe that this benign spot was one of the most erogenous spots on the human body, hence the etymology.

The lack of a philtrum can be considered a symptom of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.Template:Fact

In some folksayings, it is said that an angel "shushes" the baby in the womb, to stop it from talking about heaven, or to forget.Template:Fact Other stories say that it is an indent left by the finger of God. Template:Fact

See also

• Philtrum moustache
• Mouth

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