The tongue is a highly mobile, muscular organ in the oral cavity anchored to the hyoid bone, designed for tasting, mastication, swallowing, and speech. It is divided into an anterior two-thirds (body) and posterior one-third (base) by the V-shaped sulcus terminalis. It is covered in papillae (filiform, fungiform, circumvallate) and comprises intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, primarily innervated by the hypoglossal nerve.
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Key Anatomical Features
- Parts: The tongue consists of a tip (apex), dorsal surface (top), ventral surface (underside), and base.
- Surface Structure: The dorsum is covered with specialized mucosa and papillae, including filiform (mechanical), fungiform (taste), and circumvallate (taste).
- Lingual Septum: A midline, fibrous structure that divides the tongue into right and left halves.
- Muscles:
- Intrinsic Muscles: Located entirely within the tongue (superior/inferior longitudinal, transverse, vertical); these alter the tongue's shape.
- Extrinsic Muscles: Originate outside and insert into the tongue (genioglossus, hyoglossus, styloglossus, palatoglossus); these move the tongue.
- Innervation: Motor function is provided by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII), except for the palatoglossus (vagus nerve, CN X). Sensory innervation is complex: anterior two-thirds (lingual nerve and chorda tympani) and posterior one-third (glossoglossal nerve).
Blood Supply: Primarily via the lingual artery, a branch of the external carotid artery.
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Clinical Relevance
The ventral surface is smooth, featuring the frenulum—a fold of tissue securing the tongue to the floor of the mouth—and prominent veins. The posterior base contains lymphoid tissue known as the lingual tonsil.