An Overview of Dental Anatomy
Facial Landmarks

The facial landmarks can be visualized in Figure 2. These landmarks also form a benchmark for determining normal facial anatomy when performing an extraoral examination on a patient.¹

• Ala – Wing of the nose.
• Inner canthus of the eye – The inner corner of the eye.
• Labial commissures – Corners of the mouth.
• Labiomental groove – Area that separates the lower lip and the chin.
• Naris – Nostril.
• Nasal septum – Vertical separation of the nasal cavity.
• Nasiolabial sulcus – Groove that runs upward from the commissures of the mouth and the ala of the nose.
• Nasion – Midline junction between the eyes just below the eyebrows.
• Outer canthus of the eye – The outer corner of the eye.
• Philtrum – Vertical groove or depression in the midline above the upper lip.
• Tragus – Triangle flap of cartilage that is at the external opening of the ear.
• Tubercle of the lip – Midline of the upper lip that has a small tissue projection.
• Vermillion border – Where the skin and lips meet.
• Vermillion zone – The reddish portion of the lips.