Elements of morphology: Standard terminology for the lips, mouth, and oral region

Abstract

An international group of clinicians and scientists working in the field of dysmorphology has initiated the standardization of terms used to describe human morphology. The goals are to standardize these terms and reach consensus regarding their definitions. In this way, we will increase the utility of descriptions of the human phenotype and facilitate reliable comparisons of findings among patients. Discussions with other workers in dysmorphology and related fields, such as developmental biology and molecular genetics, will become more precise. Here we summarize the anatomy of the oral region and define and illustrate the terms that describe the major characteristics of the lips and mouth.

Elements of morphology: Standard terminology for the ear

“…This paper is part of a series of six papers defining the morphology of regions of the human body [Allanson et al, 2009b;Biesecker et al, 2009;Carey et al, 2009;Hall et al, 2009;Hennekam et al, 2009]. The series is accompanied by an introductory article describing general aspects of this study [Allanson et al, 2009a].…”

Efficacy of a medical genetics rotation during pediatric training

“…(Supplementary Table S1 online); and an article explaining how to take pedigrees. 11 Additional references and materials are available to them online, including the goals and objectives of the rotation (Supplementary Table S2 online), articles from the series "Elements of Morphology: Human Malformation Terminology, " [12][13][14][15][16][17] as well as a list of resources that they have access to in our library, such as textbooks, computer databases, and helpful websites ( Table 1).…”

Elements of morphology: Standard terminology for the nose and philtrum

“…It lies between the base of the nose (subnasale) and the vermilion border (labiale superius), which is also designated as the nasolabial distance. The lower end of the groove and the ridges form the central portion of the Cupid's bow of the vermilion [see Carey et al, 2009].…”

“…This paper is part of a series of six papers defining the morphology of regions of the human body [Allanson et al, 2009b;Biesecker et al, 2009;Carey et al, 2009;Hall et al, 2009;Hunter et al, 2009]. The series is accompanied by an introductory paper describing general aspects of this study [Allanson et al, 2009a].…”