Cheilion: the point at the corner of the mouth
Quick facts
- Definition
- Anthropometric point located at the oral commissure, at each corner of the mouth.
- Abbreviation
- Ch, with a right and a left point.
- Measurements it enters
- Mouth width, slope of the intercommissural line and smile symmetry.
- Relevance in facial harmonization
- Reference for assessing drooping mouth corners, marionette lines and proportion between the lips and face.
The cheilion is the anthropometric point located at each oral commissure, that is, at the corner of the mouth, where the upper lip meets the lower. There is a right and a left cheilion, and the distance between them defines the width of the mouth. It is one of the landmarks used in analysis of the lower third of the face.
Where exactly is it?
At the commissure, with the mouth at rest and the lips lightly closed. Seen from the front, it is the most lateral point of the oral fissure. Just beside it and slightly below are important structures: the modiolus, a fibromuscular node where several muscles of expression converge, and the buccal corridor, the dark space that appears when smiling.
| Measurement | Points involved | What it describes |
|---|---|---|
| Mouth width | Right and left cheilion | Distance between the commissures |
| Intercommissural line | Cheilion to cheilion | Slope and symmetry of the mouth |
| Lip height | Stomion and cheilion | Vertical relationship of the corners to the center |
| Relationship with the pupil | Cheilion and pupillary line | Horizontal proportion between mouth and eyes |
What does the slope of the corners reveal?
At rest, the corners of the mouth are usually at the same level as the line where the lips close, or slightly above it. With aging, loss of support and the action of depressor muscles can make the cheilia drop, which gives the face an expression of sadness or tiredness even without emotion. This displacement also contributes to the appearance of marionette lines.
There is also natural asymmetry: it is common for one corner to sit slightly higher than the other, especially when smiling. Assessing an asymmetry concern requires telling apart what is the patient's natural variation from what changed after a procedure.
Why does it matter in harmonization?
The corner of the mouth is a delicate area. Muscular and vascular structures are concentrated there, such as branches of the facial artery and the labial artery. Any approach to the corner of the mouth, whether with toxin for the depressors or with filler, depends on individual assessment and careful planning.
Understanding the cheilion as a landmark helps in talking with the patient: instead of "your mouth is drooping," the professional shows the position of the points, the asymmetry between the sides and what can be improved.
Also called: cheilion, oral commissure, corner of the mouth (anthropometric point).
Frequently asked questions
What does cheilion mean?
It is the name of the point at the corner of the mouth, where the upper and lower lips meet. It comes from Greek and is used in facial anthropometry to measure mouth width and the slope of the smile.