Those little dimples that appear on our cheeks when we smile have captivated people for generations. They are often associated with tenderness, youth, and joy, but behind their apparent simplicity lies a fascinating combination of anatomy, genetics, and population variations. Far from being a mere aesthetic detail, dimples result from a unique muscular and cutaneous architecture that deserves to be explored in depth. Anatomy, Barbecues, and Barbecues
The explanation for these indentations begins with a specific facial muscle: the zygomaticus major. Its usual function is to raise the corners of the lips when we smile, thus enabling this universal expression of joy. However, in some people, this muscle exhibits a very particular structural variation: it divides into two independent fascicles or muscle bundles.Anatomy
This bifurcation causes uneven traction of the skin when it contracts during a smile. The result is the small depression visible on the cheek that we
