Lip
Lip
Lip (/lɪp/), from the Old English lippa, is a visible body part at the mouth of humans and many animals. Lips are soft, movable, and serve as the opening for food intake and in the articulation of sound and speech.
Anatomy
Human lips are a tactile sensory organ, and can be an erogenous zone when used in kissing and other acts of intimacy. The upper and lower lips are referred to as the "Labium superius oris" and "Labium inferius oris", respectively. The juncture where the lips meet the surrounding skin of the mouth area is the vermilion border, and the typically reddish area within the borders is called the vermilion zone.
Functions
Lips serve many functions, including food intake, speech articulation, tactile sensation, and also as an erogenous zone.
Food Intake
Lips play a crucial role in the mechanism of eating. They help in the process of mastication by holding food in the mouth and also in the initial stage of swallowing.
Speech Articulation
In the articulation of phonetic consonants, lips play a crucial role. Bilabial consonants include /b/, /p/, and /m/; while labiodental consonants include /f/ and /v/.
Tactile Sensation
Lips are very sensitive to touch, warmth, and cold. It is therefore an important organ for the tactile sensory system.
Erogenous Zone
Lips are often viewed as a symbol for sensuality and sexuality. This has many origins; above all, the lips are a very sensitive erogenous and tactile organ.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lip
- Wikipedia's article - Lip
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