“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
The lips are the fleshy, movable structures that surround the opening of the mouth in humans and many animals. They are composed of muscle, connective tissue, and skin, and are highly sensitive to touch and temperature.
The lips serve several important functions, including enabling speech and communication, aiding in the digestion of food, and protecting the mouth and teeth. They also play an important role in facial expression and aesthetics.
The lips are lined with a mucous membrane that produces saliva, which helps to moisten and lubricate the mouth and aids in the initial digestion of food. The skin on the lips is thinner than elsewhere on the body and lacks sweat glands and hair follicles.
Various conditions can affect the lips, such as chapped lips, cold sores, angular cheilitis, and oral cancer. Treatment options for lip conditions may include lip balms, antiviral medications, corticosteroid creams, and surgery, depending on the severity of the problem.
Regular lip care, such as keeping the lips moisturized and protected from the sun, can help maintain lip health and prevent certain lip conditions.