What are the main functions of the tongue?

The tongue has four primary functions: taste sensation, speech articulation, mastication (chewing), and deglutition (swallowing).

What are the different parts of the tongue?

The tongue consists of the root (anchored to the mandible and hyoid bone), tip (anterior free end), and body (between tip and root). Its dorsal surface is divided by the sulcus terminalis into the oral part (anterior 2/3) and pharyngeal part (posterior 1/3).

What are the types of lingual papillae and their roles?

The tongue has four types of papillae: Vallate (large, V-shaped, contain taste buds), Filiform (most numerous, give a velvety texture), Fungiform (mushroom-shaped, found on margins and tip), and Foliate (rudimentary in humans). Vallate and fungiform papillae are primarily involved in taste.

How is the tongue innervated for motor and sensory functions?

Motor innervation is primarily from the hypoglossal nerve for all muscles except palatoglossus. Sensory innervation varies: anterior 2/3 by lingual nerve (general) and chorda tympani (taste), posterior 1/3 by glossopharyngeal nerve (both), and base by internal laryngeal branch of vagus (taste).

What muscles control tongue movement?

Tongue movement is controlled by extrinsic muscles (genioglossus, hyoglossus, styloglossus, palatoglossus) for gross movements like protrusion and retraction, and intrinsic muscles (longitudinal, transverse, vertical) for shape changes.

How does the tongue develop embryologically?

The tongue develops from pharyngeal arches: anterior 2/3 from the first arch, posterior 1/3 from the third arch, and base from the fourth arch. Muscles originate from occipital myotomes, innervated by the hypoglossal nerve.

What is the blood supply to the tongue?

The main blood supply is from the lingual artery, with minor contributions from the facial and ascending pharyngeal arteries. Venous drainage occurs via the deep lingual vein and venae comitantes.

What are some common clinical issues related to the tongue?

Common clinical issues include tongue tie (restricted movement from a tight frenulum), carcinoma (often on the lateral margin, with poor prognosis in posterior tumors), and hypoglossal nerve palsy (causes tongue deviation on protrusion).

Tongue Anatomy – Muscles, Papillae & Nerve Supply

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