Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 08:34:55

Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 08:34:55
and what is the point of them? They're more sensitive, sure, but why do they have to be as they are to be sensitive?
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 08:39:38
And apart from other apes, what other creatures have them in the same way that we do? All mouthed animals have an edge, but do they have a nice rouge lip appeal thing going on?
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: Karen W. on 27/07/2007 08:53:36
Here is wiki's 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lip#Blood_supply

The skin of the lip, with three to five cellular layers, is very thin compared to typical face skin, having up to 16 layers. With light skin color, the lip skin contains no melanocyte (pigment cells, which give skin its color). Because of this, the blood vessels appear through the skin of the lips, which leads to their notable red coloring. With darker skin color this effect is less prominent, as in this case the skin of the lips contains more melanin and thus is visually thicker.


Now I also believe the lips to be attractive also sensitive for ahh kissing soft ahhh for more kissing..able to sense heat and colds for example..when tasting foods etc. There are no sweat glands there and they get cold easier etc.

Jeesh Stuart what a Topic Now I want a kiss! LOL
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 09:05:18
Here you are then

XXXX
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: Karen W. on 27/07/2007 09:08:53
LOL LOL LOL LOL  HEE HEE HEE XXXX Back at ya! LOL
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: Karen W. on 27/07/2007 09:11:43
And apart from other apes, what other creatures have them in the same way that we do? All mouthed animals have an edge, but do they have a nice rouge lip appeal thing going on?

I never payed any attention to other critters I know our dogs have e redder set of lips but wonder if it depends on the breed as I have seen some speckled black and pink kinda colors!
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: _Stefan_ on 27/07/2007 11:18:05
Our lips may have also evolved this way as a communication device (?).
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 12:28:18
Like a gibbon's bottom?
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: Karen W. on 27/07/2007 13:33:45
Is a gibbon's bottom a communication device??? LOL LOL
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 13:37:50
It's the opposite of Bluetooth....
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 13:39:19
*Thinks: If only it was Raspberry, and not Blackberry.....*
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: Karen W. on 27/07/2007 13:49:08
It's the opposite of Bluetooth....

What is the opposite of Bluetooth??? Are you talking technology?


*Thinks: If only it was Raspberry, and not Blackberry.....*

A blackberry as in a PDA thingy..or joke in blowing a rasberry with your Blackberry? Sorry..
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: neilep on 27/07/2007 13:52:57
Lips were invented so that Satchmo could play the trumpet !...and that's the truth


(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sticks-stones.net%2Fimages%2Fsatchmo2.jpg&hash=2b3a1e817465ddd770335bef336e45c7)

Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 13:57:18
Right - I actually meant Baboons. Aren't they blue as a sort of communication? So, they have a blue bottom, sort of opposite to bluetooth, which is technological communication. Raspberries are a kind of fart emminating from bottoms (follows the blue bottom train of thought) which is almost like Blackberry which is another tech communication system.

I could never be a stand up comedian. I haven't got the legs you see.
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 13:58:08
I haven't got your photo here Neil! Is that your or my problem?
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: Karen W. on 27/07/2007 14:04:43
Lips were invented so that Satchmo could play the trumpet !...and that's the truth


(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sticks-stones.net%2Fimages%2Fsatchmo2.jpg&hash=2b3a1e817465ddd770335bef336e45c7)



Where is your picture of Satchmo???

I agree with you he was wonderful!
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: Karen W. on 27/07/2007 14:06:54
Right - I actually meant Baboons. Aren't they blue as a sort of communication? So, they have a blue bottom, sort of opposite to bluetooth, which is technological communication. Raspberries are a kind of fart emminating from bottoms (follows the blue bottom train of thought) which is almost like Blackberry which is another tech communication system.

I could never be a stand up comedian. I haven't got the legs you see.

Okie dokey then that makes much better sense to me .. I was going the right direction Stuart you did good or I am getting wiser or both! LOL
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: neilep on 27/07/2007 14:09:09
Eh ?..I can see the piccy ?...and in your reply too Karen

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

How about now ?

This time I've uploaded it rather than just linked to it !!


Sheesh !!...there goes the joke impact !!
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 14:09:20
Or that Steve Tyler could sing, though I prefer them on his daughter....

Raaaaarrrrrr......
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: neilep on 27/07/2007 14:13:20
Or that Steve Tyler could sing, though I prefer them on his daughter....

Raaaaarrrrrr......

Agreed....I think him and Mick Jagger were separated at birth........

Liv is.....arrrooooooooga !!!!
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: Karen W. on 27/07/2007 15:03:50
Eh ?..I can see the piccy ?...and in your reply too Karen

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

How about now ?

This time I've uploaded it rather than just linked to it !!


Sheesh !!...there goes the joke impact !!

Yep working great now and so is my connection..Thank you very much!
Title: Why are our lips redder than the surrounding skin?
Post by: kdlynn on 28/07/2007 03:51:02
i'm confused... again