Philtrum

Description

Centered on the midline of the upper lip, the philtrum appears as a vertical depression bounded by paired philtral columns that descend from the base of the columella to meet the peaks of the Cupid’s bow at the vermilion border. Superior to the philtral dimple, the nasal tip, nares, and alae frame the external nasal aperture, while the nasal septum remains medial within the vestibule. A blue anterior nasal compression device spans the nasal dorsum and pinches the soft tissues of the nose, sitting immediately superior to the philtrum and anterior to the upper lip. Surface landmarks are clear. Anterior epistaxis most often arises from Kiesselbach’s area on the anteroinferior nasal septum, and external compression works by bringing the alae medially against the septum to tamponade bleeding at the level of the vestibule rather than the bony bridge. Correct placement is a teaching point: pressure belongs over the cartilaginous lower third of the nose, not over the nasal bones, and this view makes that relationship obvious by anchoring the device against recognizable perinasal landmarks, including the philtrum and upper lip. Small asymmetries matter. Use this rendering to teach facial surface anatomy in head and neck blocks, to illustrate first-aid and emergency department epistaxis protocols, or to support device instructions that rely on precise external landmarks for safe compression. It also suits craniofacial and aesthetic discussions where philtral columns, Cupid’s bow, and the columella form key reference points for cleft lip repair planning and perioral assessment in a Black female patient. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.