Anatomy of the Human Tongue

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.