Nasolabial fold

The nasolabial folds, commonly known as "smile lines"^[1] or "laugh lines",^{[2][self-published source]} are facial features. They are the two skin folds that run from each side of the nose to the corners of the mouth. They are defined by facial structures that support the buccal fat pad.^[3] They separate the cheeks from the upper lip. The term derives from Latin nasus for "nose" and labium for "lip". Other people suggest the term melolabial fold,^{[clarification needed] [4]} or even the lip-cheek fold or groove.^[5] It is also known as the nasolabial sulcus.

Nasolabial fold
Human face, with left nasolabial fold marked in black ellipse
Identifiers
MeSH	D060052
TA98	A01.2.01.017
TA2	220
FMA	75018
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

Cosmetology issues

With ageing the fold may grow in length and depth.^[6] Dermal fillings may be used to replace lost fats and collagen in this facial area.^[7] Facial exercises give effective results in erasing the appearance of nasolabial folds.^[8]

See also

• Epicanthal fold
• Nasalis muscle

References

1. Burgess, Cheryl M., ed. (2005). Cosmetic Dermatology. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. p. 106. ISBN 9783540273332. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
2. Vennemeyer M. D., Michael D (22 December 2010). Plastic Surgery Myths Dispelled. Xlibris Corporation. p. 35. ISBN 9781456835958. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
3. Pogrel, MA; Shariati, S; Schmidt, B; Faal, ZH; Regizi, J (1998). "The surgical anatomy of the nasolabial fold". Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 86 (4): 410–5. doi:10.1016/s1079-2104(98)90365-1. PMID 9798223.
4. Why Do Nasolabial Folds Appear? Exploring the Anatomical Perspectives and the Role of Thread-Based Interventions, doi:10.3390/diagnostics14070716
5. The Lip-Cheek Groove: A New Analysis With Treatment Options, doi:10.1001/archfaci.8.5.324
6. Wulc, Allan E.; Sharma, Pooja; Czyz, Craig N. (2010). "The Anatomic Basis of Midfacial Aging". Midfacial Rejuvenation. pp. 15–28. doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-1007-2_2. ISBN 978-1-4614-1006-5.
7. "Why your face ages and what you can do". www.health.harvard.edu/. Harvard Health Publications. 14 September 2010. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
8. M. Smith, Abigail; Ferris, Taylor; K. Nahar, Vinayak; Sharma, Manoj (March 2020). "Non-Traditional and Non-Invasive Approaches in Facial Rejuvenation: A Brief Review". Cosmetics. 7 (1): 10. doi:10.3390/cosmetics7010010.