Cross Sections through the Orbicularis Oris muscle

These images are cross sections of the upper lip taken by high resolution ultrasound in order to visualize the orbicularis oris muscles—colored in the images. Some of the muscles are smooth and continuous, some have breaks or other defects. We hypothesize that these defects represent a minor manifestation of the risk genes for cleft lip or cleft palate, and help to explain the reduced penetrance seen in families of individuals with these common birth defects.

 

This image was chosen as a winner of the 2016 NIH funded research image call.

 

This image is not owned by the NIH. It is shared with the public under license. If you have a question about using or reproducing this image, please contact the creator listed in the credits. All rights to the work remain with the original creator.

 

Credit: Mary L. Marazita and Seth Weinberg, Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics University of Pittsburgh

 

NIH funding from: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

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