# acanthion

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/acanthion
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a specific point on the front of the face where the nose meets the upper lip. It is used by doctors to measure the shape of the face.

For teachers: the most anterior point of the nasal floor, located at the junction of the nasal septum and the upper lip. It serves as a key landmark in facial anthropology and orthodontics.

## Examples

- The doctor measured the acanthion to check the patient's facial profile.
- During the orthodontic assessment, the specialist marked the acanthion to determine the patient's facial proportions.
- The acanthion is a critical anatomical landmark for the cephalometric analysis of the midface, providing a reference point for the relationship between the nasal and maxillary structures.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.