philtrum

American  

[fil-truhm] / ˈfɪl trəm /

noun

plural

philtra

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

2. a philter.

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philtrum British  

/ ˈfɪltrəm /

noun

1. the indentation above the upper lip

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Etymology

Origin of philtrum

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

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

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

From Washington Post

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

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