The hidden science of dimples: Their intriguing biology and mysterious causes, explained

Dimples! These adorable face dimples have been a surprising everyday mystery that has fascinated people for generations. They are one of those physical traits that make us unique and add character to our facial features. But what exactly causes these cheek dimples? Are they a sign of good luck or just a genetic background?

Despite large portions of the world's population having dimples, their exact cause remains unknown to many. Ross Elledge, a maxillofacial surgeon, explains that dimples occur when there is an abnormality in the cheek muscle known as the zygomaticus major. This muscle pulls the skin and creates a dent on the cheek when we smile or laugh. However, not everyone with this muscle has dimples, which means there may be other underlying factors at play.

In simple terms, caused by a congenital disability, facial dimples are the indentations on cheeks that become prominent when people smile. These indentations occur because of the way the main muscles found in our cheeks contract and pull on our skin.

The zygomaticus major muscle - the muscle that controls facial expressions - spans from cheekbone to mouth, consisting of a single band with dermatocutaneous fibres spanning from skin to muscle. When this muscle contracts during smiling, it pulls the skin towards itself, creating a dimple.

While facial dimples may be an adorable feature, there are no evident health risks accompanying them. However, it is important to note that not everyone has these cute little parts on their face!

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Dimples are symmetrical indentations caused by a short ligament connecting the skin to the underlying tissues. While dimpled cheeks are the most common presenting, dimpled chin and lower part of the hip bone or posterior superior iliac spine (fossae lumbales laterales) are also common present.

According to a maxillofacial surgeon consultant oral and honorary senior clinical lecturer based in London, roughly 4% of people have midline sacral dimples, which have a significant correlation with future health risks. A genetic test can help identify these risks and provide insight into how our genes affect our mental health.

As a neuroscientist explains, dimples vary in frequency among different populations and ethnicities. While some may see it as a cosmetic feature, it's important to understand that it can also be a marker for potential health issues. So, whether you have Chris Hemsworth's adorable cheek dimples or not, it's worth learning more about their significance beyond just aesthetics.

Dimples, affectionately nicknamed "cute little cheek dents," are a common place facial feature that many people desire. To create dimples, you need to locate the khoo boo-chai point (KBC point) on your face. This point is found by creating a horizontal line drawn from the outer corner of your mouth and then dropping a vertical line down until it intersects with your smile line, which is also known as the nasolabial fold. The location where these two lines meet is called the KBC point.

It's important to keep in mind that facial shapes determine variation in where the desired point should be passed inside the mouth so that skin tethering can occur between muscle and dermal fillers if necessary. Natural plumpness in cheeks explains Elledge's method of achieving cheek dimples without cosmetic surgery or dermal fillers by placing fingers inside cheeks and then pulling them outwards while smiling, though this method may not work for everyone. For those who opt for a surgical procedure or dermal fillers, there are risks including injuries and infections.

Ultimately, whether you want to create dimples through natural methods or cosmetic surgery, it's important to remember that dimples are usually more prominent when you smile due to the muscle movement causing skin tethering. So good luck on your journey towards achieving perfect face dimples and don't forget to practice your best facial expression!

Dimples are a common physical manifestation that many people find attractive. Despite extensive research, the exact pattern of dimple formation remains elusive. However, multiple members of families with similar types of dimples suggest that genes may play a factor specifically in the Elledge family.

Autosomal dominant inheritance is believed to be responsible for dimple formation, which means that only one specific chromosome is required to pass on this trait. While narrow circular dimples are more commonly found in leptoprosopic faces (long and narrow), broad faces (euryprosopic short) tend to develop wider and shallower dimples.

Although there has been much debate on whether genetics dictate dimples or not, it seems clear cut that they are inherited through autosomal dominant inheritance. Whether you have narrow dimples or wide ones, it's all down to your genetic makeup!

Have you ever wondered why some people have those adorable little dimples on their cheeks? After all, they're not something that everyone has. Well, the good news is that a study published in 2004 demonstrated that there is a definitive answer to this age-old question. The research was conducted by Athena Pentzos-Daponte, and it revealed some fascinating information about the underlying dimples.

According to the study, commonly dimples are caused by a defect in the facial muscle known as the zygomaticus major. This muscle is responsible for controlling your smile, and in people with dimples, it's shorter than it should be. This causes a significant increase in skin elasticity on the cheeks, resulting in those adorable little indents. Interestingly enough, while these defects can be genetic, they don't always show up at birth.

Age brings many changes to our bodies, and this also applies to our dimples. While some people may have had them since earlier life, others may develop them later on due to factors such as weight loss or aging. However, regardless of when they appear or how they came about, one thing is certain: we can't help but find them charming! Hopefully, this article has shed some light on the fascinating mystery behind these little quirks of nature.