Anatomy def: Skin folds extending from each side of nose to each corner of mouth, separating cheeks from upper lip. Also known as smile or laugh lines.
Outlander def: Angular creases of Colum’s facial skin, marked by age and suffering.
Learn about nasolabial folds in Anatomy Lesson #11, “Jamie’s Face” or “Ye do it Face to Face?”
Read about Colum’s nasolabial folds, deep creases from nose to lips, in Dragonfly in Amber book. Pain from his debilitating condition has deepened these folds.
A smile twitched the fine-cut lips. He had the bold beauty of his brother Dougal, ruined as it was, and when he lifted the veil of detachment from his eyes, the power of the man overshone the wreck of his body.
…He stretched and shifted his position, easing his bones on the lichened stone bench. His lips were pressed tight, by habit, against any exclamation of discomfort, and I could see what had made those deep creases between nose and mouth.
See Colum’s nasolabial fold (red arrow) in Starz episode 212, The Hail Mary. Dinna mistake the lank strand of hair across his face as his right skin fold. This puir chieftain feels too far ill for careful grooming! Fare thee well, Colum, ye were a formidable laird!
A deeply grateful,
Outlander Anatomist