Dimple

Dimple ( Diminutive to pit ) are generally smaller indentations. In the bio- medical field, it describes congenital or acquired wells of the tissue. Colloquially thinks dimples mostly in the strict sense, in many people present, typical recoveries in cheek, chin, forehead, back, or buttocks. Occasionally the form of smaller material defects is detailed as dimples in the art.

Common uses of the term

Biology

In the course of embryogenesis in many cases arise, known as dimples recoveries (eg Ohrgrübchen, Riechgrübchen, Linsengrübchen ), which mark the beginning of a further differentiation. When fully developed animals serve on the body surface -to-find, permanent dimples often used to protect lying on their basic sensory cells or gland ducts. Particularly well-known examples are the pit organ and the Labialgruben in snakes that serve the perception of infrared radiation.

Dimples called depressions are often found in the interior of the body; under the technical term crypts example, in tonsils, lymph nodes and in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Smaller depressions of the tooth surface as fissures are often also referred to as dimples. Alveolus, fovea and foveola are more technical language synonyms for the dimples.

The Human Body

Most people have dimples on their bodies, which are either see constantly or only when tensing certain muscles. The latter probably arise through tiny muscle fibers or connective tissue adhesions with muscles that pull the skin inward. In the cheek region formed in many people small, usually approximately symmetrical, very rarely constructed on one side recoveries when shorten certain facial muscles in laughter, grin or smile. The main reason for this is the belonging to the laughter muscles Large zygomatic muscle (musculus zygomaticus major), which connects the corner of his mouth with the zygomatic arch ( zygomatic arch ). Did this muscle at one point a particularly strong connection to the skin of the cheeks, so he pulls them in tension inwards and can arise from the dimples.

Cleft chin are also inborn, but arise largely not by muscle tension, but probably by a slight abnormality during embryogenesis. The right and left half of the lower jaw later grow initially separated. If they then merge occurs in the middle between the two halves, the later chin, a narrow fibrocartilaginous connection ( symphysis menti ). The cleft chin may be caused by an incomplete coalescence of the two jaw halves and the overlying tissue. Whether it actually is so, however, is not yet understood. As two soft dimples above the buttocks are scarce on both sides of the lumbar spine, especially in young women often Lendengrübchen (anatomical lumbar lateral fossae ) pronounced. This sometimes also referred to as " Venusgrübchen " pits adhere to the iliac spines, which form two vertices of the Michaelis- diamond, from which the suitability of the pelvis of a woman can be derived for the birth of a child.

Medicine

If there are dimples in unusual places, these congenital malformations can be an indication of hereditary diseases; so-called " pits " on the palms and soles, for example, are characteristic of the Gorlin - Goltz syndrome. Sakralgrübchen are usually harmless, but can be signs of malformations. Pits are also called by the replacement of horn cells of the nail surface resulting, pinhead-sized, punched-out recesses acting, typical of psoriasis are ( pitted ) among others. Permanent dimples in the skin can also develop in the course of wound healing when the resulting scar will contract inward.

Dentistry

In dentistry, the indentations in the back teeth as dimples (technical term fissure ) are referred to.

Materials Science ( Mechanical Engineering )

Pits are three-dimensional material error, for example, stress arising under tribological ( friction stress ). (see pitting )