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The philtrum: An ancient evolutionary scar with repurposed functions

By PulseAugur Editorial · [1 sources] ·

The philtrum, the groove above the human lip, is a vestigial structure resulting from the fusion of facial tissues during embryonic development. This developmental process is ancient and conserved across vertebrates, with the philtrum serving as a visible scar where different facial prominences meet. While in many animals, like dogs and cats, the philtrum aids in directing moisture to the nose for enhanced scent detection, its primary function has been lost in humans. However, the underlying developmental tissue has been radically repurposed in some species, such as the star-nosed mole, to form highly sensitive sensory organs. AI

RANK_REASON Article discusses a biological feature and its evolutionary origins, citing scientific studies. [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=1 ai=0.0]

Read on Forbes — Innovation →

AI-generated summary · Google Gemini · from 1 sources. How we write summaries →

The philtrum: An ancient evolutionary scar with repurposed functions

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Article discusses a biological feature and its evolutionary origins, citing scientific studies. [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=1 ai=0.0]
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COVERAGE [1]

  1. Forbes — Innovation TIER_1 English(EN) · Scott Travers, Contributor ·

    Why Do Humans Have A Philtrum? An Evolutionary Biologist Explains The Groove Above Your Lip

    Why humans have a philtrum, the groove above your lip, explained by an evolutionary biologist — from embryonic face-building to vestigial anatomy.

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