philtrum

noun /ˈfɪl.tɹəm/

1. The shallow vertical groove running from the nasal septum to the center of the upper lip.

   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.

2. The junction between the two halves of an animal's upper lip or nose.

Where it comes from

Borrowed from the Latin philtrum (“a love potion”), from Ancient Greek φῐ́λτρον (phĭ́ltron, “a love charm; the dimple in the upper lip”). Doublet of philter.

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry philtrum (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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