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What Is a Cleft Chin?
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
A cleft chin is also called a dimple in the chin, a chin cleft or even less elegantly termed a butt chin. It is a small to large indentation in the chin that is actually genetically determined and is caused by failure of the lower jawbone to completely fuse together at the center point. This doesn’t cause problems for most people with a cleft chin; it merely causes variance in appearance. You’ll often see that parents with cleft chins tend to produce children with the same marking. Cleft-chinned parents may or may not pass along the trait to their children, and some children will be born with cleft chins to parents without the trait.
The cleft chin is an interesting study and example of how genetics can work, and how inherited genes sometimes fail in expression. Theoretically, parents who both have cleft chins would immediately pass this on to children, since it is a dominant trait. There are two reasons why this might not occur, because genes dictating the cleft can be affected by variable penetrance. Variable penetrance means that even a dominant trait may not be expressed. This may be caused by the environment — something in the fetal environment caused the jawbone to fuse completely. It also may be caused by something called modifier genes, which affect the function of the genes responsible for the cleft chin.
If the modifier genes suppress the gene controlling incomplete fusion of the jawbone, then the cleft would not be expressed. Alternately, two parents without cleft chins may both have had modifier genes, resulting in jawbone fusion. Their children might lack these modifiers and all have clefts despite that fact. The point is, whether or not parents have clefts, children may or may not have them. Variable penetrance can cause a little confusion, but explains why the cleft isn’t always inherited, or may appear among children whose parents don’t have clefts, though this is rare.
Cleft chins have certainly existed for a very long time. Homo sapiens fossilized remains discovered in France in the caves of Isturitz are carbon-dated back tens of thousands of years and show prominent clefts. The cleft chin also predominates in literature.
Villains often have deep clefts, and so do heroes. We also love our current and past actors with cleft chins, such as Cary Grant, Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas, John Travolta, Jude Law, and Sir Ian McKellen. It should be noted that many of these actors have played both villains and heroes, and the cleft chin seems to be one of those adaptable facial traits that can lend itself to dramatic expression in different ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cleft chin?
A cleft chin is a noticeable indentation or dimple on the chin, sometimes humorously referred to as a "butt chin." This distinct mark is the result of the lower jawbone not fully merging in the middle during one's growth. This incomplete merging forms a pronounced dip, defining the chin's unique look.
Is having a cleft chin genetic?
Indeed, having a cleft chin is rooted in one's genes. But genetics isn't always straightforward. While the cleft chin trait is dominant, other genetic factors, such as variable penetrance and modifier genes, can influence its expression. So, even if both parents sport a cleft chin, it's not a guarantee their child will.
Can a child have a cleft chin if neither parent does?
Yes, it's possible. Genetics can be unpredictable. A child might develop a cleft chin even if neither parent has one. This phenomenon can be due to factors like variable penetrance, where a dominant trait doesn't always show, and the impact of modifier genes on primary gene expression.
When did the cleft chin trait appear in human evolution?
While early human ancestors like Homo erectus didn't have cleft chins, ancient Homo sapiens did. Fossils from olden-day France, which are many millennia old, show Homo sapiens with clear cleft chins, suggesting the trait has been with us for a long time.
How is the cleft chin portrayed in the media?
Cleft chins are quite popular in media, from books to movies. Characters, whether good or bad, might have this feature. Renowned actors like Cary Grant and John Travolta, both with cleft chins, highlight the trait's versatility in representing varied personalities.
Does a cleft chin influence speech or other functions?
No, a cleft chin is more about aesthetics and doesn't affect jaw or mouth functions. People with cleft chins speak and move their jaws just like those without.
Is the cleft chin trait common in specific areas or among certain people?
While there might be stories suggesting cleft chins are more common in some ethnicities, they're truly a worldwide trait, seen in people from all corners of the globe.
Tricia Christensen
Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.
Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.
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![Cleft chin.]()
By: paul stumprCleft chin. -
![Cleft chins are not found on the fossilized remains of prehistoric hominids like Homo erectus, so it is believed they evolved recently.]()
By: Pedro BigeriegoCleft chins are not found on the fossilized remains of prehistoric hominids like Homo erectus, so it is believed they evolved recently.
Discussion Comments
I love my cleft chin and am proud of it because it comes from my Dad. It's origin comes from west slavic areas. It's mostly genetics. I don't understand why people are self conscious about it. There are tons of attractive people in Hollywood with cleft chins. It has no affect on speech as well. Unless your whole chin is a cleft.
@anon268039, Post 30: That is not true. Neither my son's father nor I have a cleft chin, but he has a very noticeable one. Also, they don't run in either of our families. He was not the product of cheating and that was proven with a DNA test. People like you spreading that kind of crap around caused me to have to get one.
I have a dimpled chin that I inherited from my dad. I was made fun of growing up, not by classmates, but by my two siblings who don't have it. Because of that, I had self esteem issues, but my current boyfriend loves it. I've even had random people come up to me and tell me how much they like it since I moved to a larger city three years ago.
Also, to answer post no. 2's question (not like you'd actually ever see it.
I learned to talk (fully) when I was two. So, based on experience, I don't think his cleft has anything to do with his speech.
And to post no. 10 (again, not like you'd see it, but it's mostly for other people who have the same questions):
Unless you have a very shallow cleft, and gain a lot of weight to squeeze your face and make it more prominent, chances are you would have had a cleft since you were developing in your mother's womb.
In our family i am the only one who has a cleft chin. I do not have any idea of how it happened. I have noticed this cleft chin lately. I feel so happy.
Is there a reverse of a cleft chin, causing the jaw bone to fuse even more completely leaving a centered ridge? Wish I worded it better.
Well, I have one. Female here. I was told early on that that is the angel's mark! If they liked you at birth, they kissed you on your chin! I'll stick with that, and my cleft!
I have a cleft chin and I think it makes me attractive.
If one of your parents has a cleft chin you should have one too, those of you who have clefts and a mother and father who don't, you're either adopted or your mother was unfaithful. Good luck getting her to admit to it, though.
Same goes for those without clefts and a parent with one. They reckon 20 percent of fathers are raising at least one child who is not theirs unknowingly. Think about this genetic fact before selecting someone to have an affair with, woman.
Cleft chins do run in family genes, whether you think so or not. If neither parent has one, somewhere through the bloodline, someone did.
Our great grand-papa had one, our father had one and our four siblings have one, now it's passed on to a few of the grandchildren, whose parents did not have one, and parents who did have one had, one with them too. It's a way to determine if you're related in our family.
Quote 'theoretically, parents who both have cleft chins would immediately pass this on to children, since it is a dominant trait.' Is it not possible to have a cleft chin with just one of the gene pairs being the dominant one? If both parents are like this then there is a 1 in 4 chance that they will have a child without the trait.
I have very deep cleft chin. For your information, I'm from an Indonesian tribe, in which a cleft chin is seen rarely.
My dad always said that genes came from his grandfather, who came from south asia. well, my grand-grandfather is indian. Then, i saw my indian friends on Facebook, a lot of them also have cleft chins.
Now, my friends are always calling my cleft chin an Indian chin. Sounds funny doesn't it?
My father's mother had a cleft chin. She had seven siblings, five boys, two girls. All the boys (my uncles) have cleft chins, the women don't.
Of my uncle's siblings, only the boys inherited the trait, including me. Of my aunts, no one inherited the trait, boys or girls.
I love it. I have gotten so many compliments and since my chin is strong makes me look - I like to think - strong and distinguished.
I love the cleft on my fiance's chin. It makes him more attractive and above all it suits him and adds sex appeal.
Don't be uncomfortable about it! I dated a man for a long time who loved it so much that to this day he is drawn to women who have a cleft chin. Lots of good looking people have them, Jessica Simpson is a great example!
I have a cleft chin, and so does my half brother. What's weird, is that his father nor my father have a cleft, and our mother does not have one. Neither do our grandparents have clefts. But, my dad's brother has a cleft, though he is my uncle, and not the uncle of my brother, so apparently this gene is one my mom and dad's side, but only my brother, my uncle, and I have it.
If you don't like your cleft chin, embrace it like I have. If you get teased for having it and don't like it. then these people are not your true friends. About 75 percent of the time, they are egocentric jerks who gain ego to themselves by making fun of others.
Embrace yourself and tell people it is one of the sexiest things that can be on a man (or women) and that they are just jealous! I tell that to everyone. If they take offense they are not a true friend. If they laugh or shrug it off or go with what you said, they are a true friend.
Everyone tells me I look amazing with a cleft chin, and less than 1 percent of the population has it so it makes me even more unique.
I am the proud owner of a cleft chin since before birth!
I have a cleft chin and hate it. I have been made fun of because of it all my life.
Cleft chins seem to run in my family, but the actual curve (how prominent the cleft in) seems to have gotten deeper with each generation, resulting in my chin's cleft being very obvious. why is this?
i don't have one and I'm glad of it, but for some women or men, it suits them perfectly.
Cleft chins run in my family. My father, cousins both male and female have one. I never thought much about it, however, most of my grown life, I've gotten so many compliments on it, that it's so sexy and have been hit on (men go crazy for it) that I'm glad I have it.
I find boys with cleft chins attractive. they are unique too.
My son is the only of my three children to have a cleft chin. It gives him a special look. He is truly blessed to have it. Now if his idiot father would realize just because he nor I have one that our son could still have one. His father is the butt chin.
I've had a cleft chin since I was born, and my father does too. But neither my brother or sister have one.
Our son has a cleft chin. Neither my husband or I have a cleft chin, or our parents, or our grandparents. The only relative I have with one is my cousin (my Mum's brother's daughter). Very strange? He looks so handsome with it though so I'm not complaining!
I always wondered if you get it when you were born or if you get it when you are older. When is the cleft chin noticeable? I don't know if I have one yet.
I always wondered about my chin since no one in my family has it! Perhaps someone far more in the past had it in the line. Unlike most people, my chin is very deep and butt like.
My 15-year-old son just made me aware that he has a cleft chin. You can't tell by just looking at him. He started feeling everyone in our family's chins, including his two siblings, and realized his is different. Nobody has it but him. However, my father, his maternal grandfather, had a cleft chin.
My husband has a very prominent cleft chin and passed this trait on to all three of my children. My oldest daughter has the smallest cleft in her chin, but was born with a severe cleft lip and palate. My son's cleft in his chin was a little more prominent, but my youngest daughter's cleft in her chin was obvious even when she was a newborn.
I'm glad that all three of my kids inherited this trait, since it's one that my husband is well-known for! I always tell him that he has John Travolta's chin.
I found this interesting because the one thing that people have used to tell my twin sister and I apart since we were babies is my cleft chin. I inherited it from my father, but my sister did not, even though we are almost certainly identical.
My son is a late talker, Is it possible that a child speech could be affected by the jaw bone not being fused completely?
My wife and I have been married a long time and have three boys, all grown up now, one of which has a cleft chin and the other two do not. Neither my wife nor myself have cleft chin and as far as we know none of hers nor my siblings have a cleft chin.
Is this possible and if so what are the chances of this happening?
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