• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Short philtrum

• Overview
• Treatment

Definition:

The philtrum is defined by the two slight ridges in the skin that run from the nose to the upper lip. A short philtrum is a shorter-than-normal distance between the upper lip and the nose.

Considerations:

Facial features are characteristics dictated by genetic inheritance . Genetic abnormalities may predispose individuals to changes in features. The length of the philtrum, which is the midline groove that runs from the top of the lip to the nose, is determined genetically. In some syndromes this groove is shortened.

Common Causes:

• Cohen syndrome
• Oral-facial-digital syndrome (OFD)

• Review Date: 3/13/2006
• Reviewed By: Lamya Alarif, Ph.D., H.C.L.D., Immunology and Genetics Associates, McLean, VA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.