The tongue

Question 1

What are 5 functions of the tongue?

Answer 1

• Articulation
• Mastication
• Deglutition
• Taste
• Oral cleaning

Question 2

How many nerves contribute to the innervation of the tongue?

Answer 2

Five

Question 3

What is the significance of the Foramen cecum?

Answer 3

Site in the embryo where the epithelium invaginated to form the thyroid gland

Question 4

Describe the posterior 1/3 of the tongue.

Answer 4

No papillae, surface is nodular- lymphoid tissue.

Question 5

What are lingual papillae?

Answer 5

Elevated structures of specialised mucosa
filiform, fungiform, circumvallate

Question 6

What types of papillae have taste buds?

Answer 6

Fungiform, circumvallate, foliate

Question 7

Describe filiform lingual papillae.

Answer 7

• Most numerous
• Gives velvety texture
• No taste buds

Question 8

Describe fungiform papillae.

Answer 8

• Globular (mushroom shaped)
• Numerous at apex and sides
• Contain tastebuds

Question 9

Describe circumvallate papillae.

Answer 9

• Large
• Surrounded by a circular groove
• anterior to sulcus terminalis in a V
• Contain taste buds

Question 10

Describe foliate lingual papillae.

Answer 10

• Linear vertical folds of mucosa on the lateral surface near sulcus terminalis
• Have taste buds

Question 11

Where else in the mouth are tastebuds scattered?

Answer 11

• Oral surface of the soft palate
• Posterior wall of pharynx
• Epiglottis

Question 12

What is the lingual fraenum?

Answer 12

• Median mucosal fold that anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth

Question 13

What is the sublingual caruncle?

Answer 13

The opening of the Wharton’s and Bartholin’s duct- at the base of the lingual fraenum.

Question 14

What are plica fimbriata?

Answer 14

A fold on the ventral surfacce of the tongue with finger like projections

Question 15

What divides the tongue into halves?

Answer 15

The median septum- demarcated by the median lingual sulcus.

Question 16

What are the 4 pairs of intrinsic tongue muscles? (planes)

Answer 16

• Vertical
• Transverse
• Superior longitudinal
• Inferior longitudinal

Question 17

What do the intrinsic tongue muscles do?

Answer 17

Change the shape of the tongue ie lengthening and shortening, curling, flattening and rounding

Question 18

Where do the vertical tongue muscles run and what is their action?

Answer 18

Vertically from the dorsal to the ventral surface- flatten and broaden

Question 19

Where do the transverse tongue muscles run and what is their action?

Answer 19

From median septum to lateral surface- narrow and elongate the tongue

Question 20

Where do the superior longitudinal tongue muscles run and what is their action?

Answer 20

Run superiorly longitudinally from base to apex- shorten the tongue and turns its tip and edges upwards

Question 21

Where do the inferior longitudinal tongue muscles run and what is their action?

Answer 21

Run inferiorly longitudinally from base to apex- shorten the tongue and turn its tip and edges downwards.

Question 22

What do the extrinsic tongue muscles do?

Answer 22

Act to move the tongue bodily

Question 23

What are the four pairs of extrinsic tongue muscles?

Answer 23

• Hyoglossus
• Styloglossus
• Genioglossus
• Palatoglossus

Question 24

What tongue muscle has a different innervation and what is it?

Answer 24

The palatoglossus is innervated by the vagus nerve through a pharyngeal plexus.

Question 25

What is the action of the styloglossus muscle?

Answer 25

• Elevate the tongue moving it posteriorly (important in early phases of swallowing)

Question 26

What is the action of the hyoglossus muscle?

Answer 26

Depress the tongue

Question 27

What is the action of the genioglossus muscle and what is special about this muscle?

Answer 27

• Protrusion, bilateral activity helps to depress the tongue
• Fan shaped muscle that makes up the bulk of the tongue

Question 28

Where is the palatoglossus muscle located and what does it form?

Answer 28

Between the soft palate and the tongue, forms the anterior faucial pillars.

Question 29

What is the action of the palatoglossus muscle?

Answer 29

Elevates the base of the tongue and helps to separate the oral cavity from the pharynx

Question 30

Describe the special sensation nerve supply for the tongue.

Answer 30

most posterior part - vagus N
posterior 1/3- glossopharyngeal N
anterior 2/3- facial N

Question 31

Describe the general sensation nerve supply for the tongue.

Answer 31

most posterior part- vagus N
posterior 1/3- glossopharyngeal N
anterior 2/3- Trigeminal N via lingual N

Question 32

Outline the motor nerve supply of the tongue?

Answer 32

The hypoglossal N except the palatoglossus- Vagus N

Question 33

What is the arterial supply of the tongue?

Answer 33

The lingual artery- branch of the ECA

Question 34

What is the venous drainage of the tongue?

Answer 34

The Lingual vein, eventually drains to IJV

Question 35

Describe the lymphatic drainage for the apex of the tongue.

Answer 35

First drains to primary lymph nodes (submental) and then secondary (submandibular and deep cervical)

Question 36

Describe the lymphatic drainage for the lateral body of the tongue.

Answer 36

First drains to primary lymph nodes (submandibular ipsilateral) and then secondary (superior deep cervical)

Question 37

Describe the lymphatic drainage for the centre body of the tongue.

Answer 37

First drains to primary lymph nodes (submandibular bilateral) and then secondary (superior deep cervical)

Question 38

Describe the lymphatic drainage for the lateral base of the tongue.

Answer 38

First drains to primary lymph nodes (superior deep cervical ipsilateral) and then secondary (inferior deep cervical)

Question 39

Describe the lymphatic drainage for the central base of the tongue.

Answer 39

First drains to primary lymph nodes (superior deep cervical bilateral) and then secondary (inferior deep cervical)

Question 40

What are the two modes of clinical examination of the tongue?

Answer 40

• Visual examination
• digital/bidigital palpation