Are Dimples A Dominant Gene

Exercise cheek dimples remind you of a beloved cousin, nephew, or even your ain baby pictures? Cheek dimples are those small indentations on some people'south faces that are peculiarly visible when they grinning.

How it works

The "grin muscle" connects each cheekbone with the corners of the mouth. Some people have an extra smile muscle in their cheeks, which can cause dimples to announced when they smile.

The genetic link

People used to think dimples came from a unmarried, dominant factor inherited from a parent. Now, researchers know this cherubic trait is more than circuitous than people originally thought. 23andMe research studies show that at to the lowest degree nine unlike genetic variants contribute to dimpling.

Did yous know?

Cheek dimples are more common in children than adults. That's considering children tend to have more fat in their cheeks. As children age into adolescence and adulthood, they may lose their dimples every bit their faces mature.

Explore more than

What do your genes have to say near dimples? 23andMe's Health + Ancestry Service can tell you more about this trait. Pick up our kit and find out how your DNA affects your likelihood of having cheek dimples.

Health + Ancestry Service

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References

Daponte PA et al. (2004). Cheek dimples in Greek children and adolescents. International Periodical of Anthropology. 19(4):289-95.

Pessa JE et al. (1998). Double or bifid zygomaticus major musculus: anatomy, incidence, and clinical correlation. Clin Anat. 11(five):310-3.

Preuschoft S. (2010). "Laughter" and "Smile" in Barbary Macaques (Macaca sylvanus).Ethology. 91(iii):220-36.

Schmidt KL and Cohn JF. (2001). "Human being facial expressions as adaptations: Evolutionary questions in facial expression inquiry." Am J Phys Anthropol. 33:3-24.

U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2018). "Are facial dimples determined past genetics?" Genetics Home Reference.