What is the dent between your upper lip and nose called? Is there a reason for it?

philtrum

We call it the snot trough.

Wikipedia claims: It has no apparent function besides its visual prominence.

My grandmother told me it was the spot where an angel had pressed her finger when you’re born.

“Sniffleridge”.

Regardless of what Wikipedia says, I have noticed I have a greater detection of heat here than on the rest of my mouth.
Maybe I’m weird, or maybe Wiki doesn’t know that.

Actually, my friends, the philtrum does have an evolutionary purpose, which is to allow humans to express a much larger range of lip motions than would otherwise be possible and thus enhance vocal and non-verbal communication. I don’t believe any other animals have it.

@Owl, cool… I hadn’t thought of it that way before, but I think you’re onto something. It’s an expansion joint for your mouth.

I think of it as the moustache splitter cos without it the moustache would be straight down affair, with it, it kind of pushes it outward and looks, well, proper moustachy.

Philtrum-When we’re babies and toddlers it serves the purpose of keeping snot in one place until an adult runs along with a tissue.

@scotsbloke lol

If you like the Aquatic Ape Hypothesis, the philtrum helps us with the ability use our upper lip to plug our nose when going underwater.

I use mine to keep my CPAP mask on straight.