Anatomy of Tongue Papillae

Papillae of the Tongue

• Circumvallate Papillae:

  • 8 to 12 in number; located anterior to the sulcus terminalis.
  • Cylindrical shape with a circular fold surrounding it.

• Fungiform Papillae:

  • Numerous and found at the tip and margins of the tongue.
  • Narrow pedicle with a rounded, bright red head.

• Filiform Papillae:

  • Present on the dorsum of the tongue.
  • Gives a velvet-like appearance; has a conical shape.

Muscles of the Tongue

• Intrinsic Muscles:

  • Four types:
    • Superior Longitudinal: Shortens the tongue.
    • Inferior Longitudinal: Also shortens the tongue.
    • Vertical: Broadens and flattens the tongue.
    • Transverse: Elongates the tongue.

• Extrinsic Muscles:

  • Genioglossus: Originates from the genial tubercle; protrudes and depresses the tongue.
  • Hyoglossus: From the hyoid bone; retracts and elevates the tongue.
  • Styloglossus: From the styloid process; retracts and elevates the tongue.
  • Palatoglossus: From the palate; broadens the tongue along the palatine aponeurosis.

Arterial Supply

• Lingual Artery: A branch of the external carotid artery; supplies blood to the tongue.

External Features of the Tongue

• Structure:

  • Muscular organ located on the floor of the oral cavity, involved in speaking, chewing, and swallowing.
  • Divided into three parts: root, body, and tip.

• Root:

  • Attached to mandible, hyoid bone, palate, and styloid bone.

• Tip:

  • The free part located behind the incisors.

• Body:

  • Has two surfaces: upper (dorsum) and inferior.
  • Dorsum divided by the V-shaped sulcus terminalis into:
    • Oral part (anterior).
    • Pharyngeal part (posterior).
  • Foramen caecum located at the apex of the sulcus terminalis.

• Foliate Papillae:

  • 4 to 5 vertical folds on the lateral margin of the tongue.

Inferior Surface

• Covered by mucus; connects to the floor of the mouth via the frenulum linguae.
• Contains deep lingual veins and a membrane fold known as plica fimbriata.

Pharyngeal Part

• Area behind the sulcus terminalis; lacks papillae but contains numerous lymph nodes known as lingual tonsils.

Posterior Most Part

• Attaches to the epiglottis via three folds:
  • Median glossoepiglottic fold.
  • Right and left lateral glossoepiglottic folds.
• The space between these folds is referred to as the vallecula.