Anatomy of the Tongue

Questions and Answers

What is the name of the tonsil located in the tongue?

Nasopharyngeal tonsil

Lingual tonsil (correct)

Tubal tonsil

Palatine tonsil

What is the name of the groove that divides the tongue into oral and pharyngeal parts?

Sulcus terminalis (correct)

Frenulum linguae

Median furrow

Plica fimbriata

What is the function of the papillae on the tongue?

To give the tongue its characteristic roughness and to provide taste buds (correct)

To produce mucus to aid in digestion

To filter out bacteria and other harmful substances from food

To regulate body temperature

What is the function of the foramen caecum?

It is the site from which the thyroid diverticulum grows down in the embryo Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the folds that connect the posterior part of the tongue to the epiglottis?

Glossoepiglottic folds Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the muscles related to the tongue in between the mandible and hyoid bones?

Geniohyoid and mylohyoid muscles Signup and view all the answers

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

Vallecula Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the folds on the inferior surface of the tongue on either side of the frenulum?

Prominences produced by the deep lingual veins Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the fungiform papillae?

They are bright red in color and have a narrow pedicle and a large rounded head Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the attachments of the root of the tongue?

To prevent swallowing of the tongue Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the keratin on the filiform papillae?

To protect the tongue from abrasion Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the part of the tongue that lies behind the palatoglossal arches?

Pharyngeal part Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the dorsum of the tongue?

Convex in all directions Signup and view all the answers

Where are the foliate papillae located?

At the lateral border of the tongue, just in front of the circumvallate papillae Signup and view all the answers

What separates the vallecula from the piriform fossa?

The lateral glossoepiglottic folds Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the fold on the inferior surface of the tongue?

Frenulum linguae Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Tongue

The tongue has three parts: the root, tip, and body.
The root is attached to the styloid process, soft palate, mandible, and hyoid bone, making it impossible to swallow the tongue itself.
The body has a curved upper surface (dorsum) and an inferior surface confined to the oral part only.

Dorsum of the Tongue

The dorsum is convex in all directions and divided into oral and pharyngeal parts by the sulcus terminalis.
The oral part makes up the anterior two-thirds, and the pharyngeal part makes up the posterior one-third.

Oral Part of the Tongue

The oral part is placed on the floor of the mouth, with free margins in contact with the gums and teeth.
The superior surface has a median furrow and is covered with papillae, making it rough.
The inferior surface is covered with a smooth mucous membrane, with a median fold called the frenulum linguae.

Pharyngeal Part of the Tongue

The pharyngeal part lies behind the palatoglossal arches and sulcus terminalis.
The mucous membrane has no papillae but has many lymphoid follicles that constitute the lingual tonsil.
Mucous glands are also present.

Posteriormost Part of the Tongue

The posteriormost part is connected to the epiglottis by three folds of mucous membrane: the median glossoepiglottic fold and the right and left lateral glossoepiglottic folds.
On either side of the median fold, there is a depression called the vallecula.

Papillae on the Tongue

There are four types of papillae:
- Vallate or circumvallate papillae: large, 1-2 mm in diameter, 8-12 in number, situated in front of the sulcus terminalis, with taste buds.
- Fungiform papillae: numerous near the tip and margins of the tongue, bright red in color, with a narrow pedicle and a large rounded head.
- Filiform papillae or conical papillae: smallest and most numerous, cover the presulcal area of the dorsum, giving it a velvety appearance.
- Foliate papillae: leaf-shaped, present at the lateral border just in front of circumvallate papillae.