philtrum

[ fil-truhm ]

noun

, plural phil·tra [fil, -tr, uh].

1. Anatomy. the vertical groove on the surface of the upper lip, below the septum of the nose.
2. a philter.

philtrum

/ ˈfɪltrəm /

noun

1. the indentation above the upper lip

Word History and Origins

Origin of philtrum¹

1600–10; < Latin: love philter < Greek phíltron love philter, dimple in upper lip. See phil-, -tron

Word History and Origins

Origin of philtrum¹

C17: from Latin, see philtre

Example Sentences

He said the latter has certain physical traits that pediatricians can recognize such as thin lips, narrow eyelid openings and a smooth philtrum — the ridge between the nose and mouth.

From Seattle Times

Are they the house’s philtrum, that bit of facial real estate between the nose and the lips?

From Washington Post

I was afraid it would look silly, a teeny tiny philtrum against the great blank face of our house.

From Washington Post

Or the water is too hot, and one is left sweating profusely and feeling faint; philtrum transforming into an oxbow lake, knees turning a football club red.

From The Guardian

Rough edges frame the philtrum, chin and bits of cheek around her lips, and the piece rests on a spindly plaster stem that descends a couple of inches to a broader foot.

From New York Times