The filter, also known as the philtrum or infrasal depression, is the vertical furrow on the upper lip. It has no specific purpose, but its absence can indicate fetal alcohol syndrome or mental retardation. Cats and dogs also have filters, and in mythology, the ancient Greeks considered it an erogenous area. The Talmud tells a story of angels touching babies under the nose to impart wisdom, resulting in the filter.
Few people have ever heard of a filter, yet it’s usually as clear as the nose on the face. To be a little more precise, the filter is as clear as the area just under the nose on the face. It is nothing more than the name of the vertical furrow located in the center of the upper lip. It is more commonly known as philtrum, or if you prefer to use the medical term, infrasal depression.
Besides being a very valuable piece of knowledge that can be viewed during trivia games, the filter has no specific purpose. Some researchers think it could help humans form different sounds during speech by allowing the lips some freedom of movement. Having a filter is perfectly normal; the lack of this dimple is sometimes a sign of fetal alcohol syndrome or mental retardation. The philtrum forms during embryonic development, and if the two sides of the upper lip don’t fully fuse, a person can be born with a cleft lip.
Even cats and dogs have filters. They are two of the few mammals in the animal kingdom, other than humans, who possess the trait. For the set of Lassie and Garfield, on the other hand, the name applies to the meeting points of the two sides of the nose. The shallow rut serves no more purpose on these domesticated creatures than it does on humans.
On the other hand, philters are mentioned extensively in mythology. The ancient Greeks considered it one of the most erogenous areas of the body, which is no small achievement considering that the ancient Greeks were very interested in the erotic aspects of life. Why the early Greeks considered the philter such a sexy little dimple is not recorded in the writings or poetry of the time.
In the Talmud it is written that angels teach children all the wisdom of the world while they are still in the womb. According to the story, the angel touches the baby under the nose just before birth. Some say this is to make the child forget that the angel was present, while others say it is a reminder never to speak of the heavenly secrets they have been imparted. Either way, the resulting depression caused by the angel’s finger is the filter.
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