Glabella
The smooth skin area between the eyebrows and above the nose.
The glabella is the region of skin located directly between the eyebrows and just above the nose. It also refers to the underlying bone structure that forms a slight depression connecting the brow ridges.
- The glabella is the skin area between the eyebrows and above the nose.
- It refers to the underlying depressed bone joining the brow ridges.
- Named from Latin for 'hairless' or 'smooth'.
- Used to measure interglabellar distance for facial proportion assessment.
- Skin turgor here can help detect dehydration.
What it is
The glabella is the specific area of skin situated between the eyebrows and directly above the nose. The term also describes the underlying bone structure, which is slightly depressed and serves to join the two brow ridges together. This region acts as a key cephalometric landmark in anatomical studies, positioned just superior to the nasion. Its name derives from Latin roots meaning hairless or smooth, reflecting its typical appearance.
The science
In medical science, the glabella serves as an important anatomical landmark for craniofacial measurements. Clinicians use it to determine interglabellar distance, which helps assess facial proportions for aesthetic and surgical purposes. Additionally, the skin here contributes to facial expressions through muscle action involving the frontalis and orbicularis oculi. It can also indicate dehydration levels when pinched, as dehydrated skin may remain extended rather than returning to shape.
Questions people ask about Glabella
What exactly is the glabella?
The glabella is the area of skin located between the eyebrows and above the nose. It also refers to the underlying bone structure that is slightly depressed and connects the two brow ridges. This region serves as a key cephalometric landmark in anatomical studies.
Why is the glabella important in medicine?
It is used in craniofacial measurements, such as determining interglabellar distance to assess facial proportions. The skin can also be pinched to check for dehydration; if it remains extended instead of returning to normal shape, it may indicate the patient is dehydrated.
Where is the glabella located on the face?
The glabella is found on the forehead, specifically in the space between the eyebrows and just above the nose. Anatomically, it sits just superior to the nasion and forms part of the frontal bone's outer surface.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Glabella", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFaceShape rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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