Anatomy of the Human Tongue

What is the posterior surface of the tongue also known as?

What type of papillae are characterized by their bright red color?

How many vallate papillae are present on the tongue?

What is the function of the mucous glands present in the tongue?

What are the folds of mucous membrane that connect the tongue to the epiglottis?

What is the function of the filiform papillae?

What is the depression on either side of the median glossoepiglottic fold called?

What type of papillae are present near the tip and margins of the tongue?

What is the dorsum of the tongue?

What marks the boundary between the oral and pharyngeal parts of the tongue?

What is the site from which the thyroid diverticulum grows down in the embryo?

What is the function of the frenulum linguae?

What is the significance of the geniohyoid and mylohyoid muscles in relation to the tongue?

What is the function of the papillae on the tongue?

What is the fold on either side of the frenulum linguae?

What is the direction of the plica fimbriata?

The Tongue Structure

The tongue has three main parts: the root, the tip, and the body
The root is attached to the styloid process, soft palate, mandible, and hyoid bone
The body of the tongue has a curved upper surface (dorsum) and an inferior surface confined to the oral part

The Dorsum of the Tongue

The dorsum is convex in all directions
Divided into an oral part (anterior two-thirds) and a pharyngeal part (posterior one-third) by a faint V-shaped groove called the sulcus terminalis
The sulcus terminalis meets at a median pit called the foramen caecum, which is the site where the thyroid diverticulum grows down in the embryo

The Oral Part of the Tongue

Located on the floor of the mouth
Margins are free and in contact with the gums and teeth
Superior surface has a median furrow and is covered with papillae, making it rough
Inferior surface is covered with a smooth mucous membrane, which shows a median fold called the frenulum linguae

The Pharyngeal Part of the Tongue

Lies behind the palatoglossal arches and the sulcus terminalis
Posterior surface forms the anterior wall of the oropharynx
Mucous membrane has no papillae but has many lymphoid follicles that collectively constitute the lingual tonsil
Mucous glands are also present

Papillae of the Tongue

There are four types of papillae: vallate, fungiform, filiform, and foliate
Vallate papillae: large, 1-2 mm in diameter, 8-12 in number, located in front of the sulcus terminalis
Fungiform papillae: numerous near the tip and margins of the tongue, smaller than vallate papillae, bright red in color
Filiform papillae: cover the presulcal area of the dorsum, give it a characteristic velvety appearance, smallest and most numerous of the lingual papillae

This quiz covers the structure and attachments of the human tongue, including the root, tip, and body, and its relation to surrounding bones and muscles.