MAITRI COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY AND RESEARCH CENTRE

DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRIC AND PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY

GUIDED BY :
TONGUE
PRESENTED BY:
DR.CHANCHAL SINGH DR. NIKITA DUSEJA
(MDS 1ST YEAR)
(PROFESSOR AND HOD)
 CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. DEVELOPMENT OF TONGUE
3. PARTS OF TONGUE
4. PAPILLAE OF TONGUE
5. MUSCLES OF TONGUE
6. ARTERIAL SUPPLY
7. VENOUS DRAINAGE
8. LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
9. NERVE SUPPLY
10. HISTOLOGY
11. TASTE PATHWAY
12. APPLIED ANATOMY
INTRODUCTION Taste

The tongue is a
muscular organ
situated in the Speech
floor of the
mouth.

It is associated
with the Chewing
functions of

Tongue
comprises
skeletal muscles Deglutition
which are
voluntary.

Cleansing Of
Mouth.
DEVELOPMENT OF
TONGUE
ANTERIOR 2/3 rd OF
THE TONGUE
POSTERIOR 1/3 rd OF
THE TONGUE
TERMINAL
SULCUS
POSTERIOR MOST PART OF
TONGUE
DEVELOPMENT OF TONGUE

Epithelium

1. Anterior two-thirds: From two lingual swellings,

which arise from the first branchial arch .

Therefore, it is supplied by lingual nerve of 1st arch and

chorda tympani of 1st arch.

2. Posterior one-third:

From cranial large part of the hypobranchial eminence, i.e. from the third arch.

Therefore, it is supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve.

3. Posterior most part from the fourth arch. This is supplied by the vagus nerve.
Muscles
The muscles develop from the occipital myotomes
which are supplied by the hypoglossal nerve.
Connective Tissue
The connective tissue develops from the local
mesenchyme.
PARTS OF TONGUE

The tongue has:

1. Root

2. Tip

3. Body,

which has:

a. A curved upper surface or dorsum

b. An inferior surface confined to the oral part.

Most important zones of the tongue is the central or terminal sulcus, lying about two-
thirds from the tongue’s tip.

The tongue may be further divided into right and left halves by the midline groove; just
beneath the groove’s surface lies the fibrous lingual septum.

The underside of the tongue is covered with a thin, transparent mucous membrane
through which you can see the underlying veins.
 lingual frenulum is a large midline fold
of mucosa

gingiva to the. lower surface

of the tongue

Brandon Peters (2023) Tongue: Anatomy, Function, and Disorders How this organ helps with eating, tasting, speaking, and breathing
ROOT

Root is attached
Mandible and
to the styloid
the hyoid bone
process and soft
below.
palate above.

In between the
Because of
mandible and
these
hyoid bones, it
attachments, we
is related to the
are not able to
geniohyoid and
swallow the
mylohyoid
tongue itself.
muscles.
APEX

The tip of the

tongue forms
the anterior
free end
which, at rest,
lies behind the
upper incisor
teeth.
BOD
Y

The dorsum of the tongue is convex in all

directions.

It is divided into:

An oral part or anterior two-thirds.

A pharyngeal part or posterior one-third,

by a faint V-shaped groove, the sulcus
terminalis.
The two limbs of the ‘V’ meet at a median pit,
named the foramen caecum.

They run laterally and forwards up to the

palatoglossal arches.

The foramen caecum represents the site from

which the thyroid diverticulum grows down in
the embryo.

The oral and pharyngeal parts of the tongue

differ in their development, topography,
structure, and function

Small posterior most part

 Oral or papillary part of the tongue is placed
on the floor of the mouth. Its margins are free
and in contact with the gums and teeth.

 Just in front of the palatoglossal arch, each

margin shows 4 to 5 vertical folds, named the
foliate papillae.
 Superior surface of the oral part shows a
median furrow and is covered with papillae
which make it Rough.
 The inferior surface is covered with a smooth mucous
membrane, which shows a median fold called the
frenulum linguae.
 On either side of the frenulum, there is a prominence
produced by the deep lingual veins. More laterally,
there is a fold called the plica fimbriata that is directed
forwards and medially towards the tip of the tongue.
 The pharyngeal or lymphoid part of the tongue lies behind the palatoglossal arches and
the sulcus terminalis. Its posterior surface, sometimes called the base of the tongue,
forms the anterior wall of the oropharynx.
 The mucous membrane has no papillae, but has many lymphoid follicles that
collectively constitute the lingual tonsil.
 Mucous glands are also present.
 The posterior most part of the tongue is connected
to the epiglottis by three folds of mucous
membrane.
 These are 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 . The lateral folds
separate thevallecula from the piriform fossa
PAPILLAE OF THE TONGUE
These are projections of mucous membrane or corium which give the anterior
two-thirds of the tongue, its characteristic roughness.
These are of the following four types:

1 Vallate or circumvallate papillae:

• large in size,
• 1–2 mm in diameter
• 8–12 in number.
• Situated immediately in front of the sulcus
terminalis.
• Each papilla is a cylindrical projection
surrounded by a circular sulcus.
• The walls of the papilla have taste buds.
2 The fungiform papillae
• Tip and margins of the tongue.
• Some of them are also scattered over the dorsum.
• Smaller than the vallate papillae but larger than the filiform papillae.
• Each papilla consists of a narrow pedicle and a large rounded head.
• They are distinguished by their bright red colour.
 3 Filiform papillae or conical papillae
• Cover the pre-sulcal area of the dorsum of the tongue, and give it a characteristic velvety
appearance.
• Smallest
• Most numerous of the lingual papillae.
• Each is pointed and covered with keratin.
• The apex is often split into filamentous processes.

4 Foliate papillae

• Present at the lateral border

• In front of circumvallate papillae.
• leaf shaped.
MUSCLES OF THE TONGUE
 A middle fibrous septum divides the tongue into right and left
halves.
Each half contains four intrinsic and four extrinsic muscles.
Intrinsic Muscles
1. Superior longitudinal
2. Inferior longitudinal
3. Transverse
4. Vertical
 Occupy the upper part of the tongue.
Attached submucous fibrous layer.
median fibrous septum.
They alter the shape of thetongue
1 Superior longitudinal:

Arises from the fibrous tissue deep to the mucous membrane on

the dorsum of the tongue and the midline lingual septum.

Pass longitudinally back from the tip of the tongue to its root
posteriorly. It inserts into the overlying mucous membrane.

The superior longitudinal muscles act to elevate the tip and

sides of the tongue superiorly.

This shapes the tongue dorsum into a concavity.

It shortens the tongue.

2 Inferior longitudinal:

Originates from the fibrous tissue beneath the mucous

membrane stretching from tip of tongue longitudinally
back to the root ofthe tongue and the hyoid bone.

They insert into the mucous membrane of the tongue

dorsum.

It lies between the genioglossus and the hyoglossus.

The inferior longitudinal muscles act to curl the tipof the

tongue inferiorly.

This makes the dorsum of the tongue convex in shape and

shortens the tongue.
3 Transverse:
 It lies as a sheet on either side of the midline in a plane that is deep to
the superior longitudinal muscles but superficial to genioglossus.
 Runs transversely from their origin at the fibrous lingual septum to
insert into the submucous fibrous tissue at the lateral margins of the
tongue.
 Contraction of the transverse muscles acts to narrow
and increases the thickness of the tongue.
4 Vertical:
 It is found at the borders of the anterior part of the tongue.
 It makes the tongue broad.
Extrinsic Muscles
1 Genioglossus
2 Hyoglossus
3 Styloglossus
4 Palatoglossus
The extrinsic muscles
Connect the Tongue to the mandible via genioglossus
Hyoid bone through hyoglossus
Styloid process via styloglossus
Palate via palatoglossus.
The actions of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles are
mentioned
Arterial Supply

lingual artery, (branch of the external carotid artery).

The root of the tongue - supplied by the tonsillar artery (branch of facial
Artery)
Ascending pharyngeal (branch of external carotid artery).
Venous Drainage

1 Deep lingual vein:

chief vein of tongue, seen othe inferior surface of tongue near

median plane.

2 Venae comitantes:

Accompany lingual artery. They are joined by dorsal lingual

veins.

Venae comitantes: Accompany the hypoglossal nerve.

These veins unite at the posterior border of the hyoglossus to

form the lingual vein which ends in the internal jugular vein.
Lymphatic Drainage
1 Tip - drains bilaterally to the submental nodes .
2 Right and Left halves of the remaining part unilaterally to the
submandibular nodes
of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.
Few central lymphatics - drain bilaterally to the deep cervical nodes .
3 Posterior most part and
drain bilaterally into the upper deep cervical
lymph nodes including jugulodigastric
nodes
Posterior one-third of the tongue
Whole lymph ---finally drains to the jugulo-omohyoid nodes.
Nerve Supply
Motor Nerves
All intrinsic and extrinsic muscles hypoglossal nerve.
(except Palatoglossus)
Palatoglossus cranial root of the accessory nerve
through the pharyngeal plexus.

seven out of eight muscles are

supplied by XII nerve .
Sensory Nerves
Lingual nerve is the nerve of general sensation
Chorda tympani anterior two-thirds of the tongue
(nerve of taste) (except vallate papillae).
Glossopharyngeal posterior 1/3 of the tongue
(general sensation
and taste)
Posteriormost part of the tongue - vagus
nerve
HISTOLOGY
1 The bulk of the tongue is made up of striated muscles.
2 The mucous membrane consists of :
A layer of connective tissue (corium)
lined by stratified squamous epithelium.
 Oral part:
thin, forms papillae, and is
adherent to the muscles

Dorsum

Pharyngeal part:
very rich in lymphoid follicles
Inferior surface:
 It is thin and smooth.
 Numerous glands, both mucous and serous, lie deep to the mucous
membrane.
 3 Taste buds:

Most numerous on the sides of the

circumvallate papillae. CIRCUMVALLATE
PAPILLAE
Taste buds are numerous over the foliate
papillae and over the posterior one-third FUNGIFORM PAPILLAE
of the tongue.

Sparsely distributed on the fungiform

papillae, the soft palate, the epiglottis and
the pharynx.

There are no taste buds on the mid-dorsal

region of the oral part of the tongue
FILLIFORM FOLATE PAPILLAE
PAPILLAE
Structure
Sustentacular or supporting cells
(spindle-shaped)

Two types Cells

Gustatory cells
(long slender and centrally situated)
 TASTE PATHWAY
TASTE geniculate
PATHWAY is carried by ganglion.

Anterior two- chorda tympani

thirds of (branch of facial
tongue, (except nerve)
vallate papillae)

The central processes go to the tractus

solitarius in the medulla.
 (including
circumvall cranial nerve IX
ate (Glossopharyngeal)
papillae) till
Taste

posterior is carried inferior ganglion.

one-third by
of tongue

The central processes also reach the tractus solitarius

 travels
through inferior
vagus ganglion of tractus
Taste nerve vagus. solitarius.

posterior till the These

most part central
of tongue processes
and also reach
epiglottis
After a relay in tractus solitarius, the solitario thalamic tract is formed
which becomes a part of trigeminal lemniscus and reaches postero-ventro-medial
nucleus of thalamus of the opposite side.
Another relay here takes them to lowest part of postcentral gyrus, which is the area
for taste.
APPLIED ANATOMY

Glossitis
Generalized ulceration of the mouth cavity or
stomatitis.
In certain anaemias, the tongue becomes smooth due
to atrophy of the filiform papillae.
Acute glossitis
The presence of a rich network of lymphatics and of
loose areolar tissue in the substance of tongue is
responsible for enormous swelling of tongue in.
ETIOLOGY OF GLOSSITIS

Anemia:

Iron-
Pernicious
deficiency
anemia
anemia
 Vitamin B
deficiencies
:
Vitamin
Vitamin B1
B12

Vitamin B9 Vitamin B2

Vitamin B6 Vitamin B3
 3-Infections: 4-Medications:

Viral: herpes
Parasite: viruses, as Lithium ACE inhibitors
malaria, well as post- carbonate
spirochetes herpetic
glossitis
Oral
Bacterial: rare contraceptive Albuterol
Fungal: most pills
in
commonly Ca Organosulfur
immunocomp
ndida species antimicrobial
etent patients
drugs such as
(sulphanilamide,
sulphathiazole)
 5-Others:

Psychological
factors
Down syndrome (conversion
disorders,
anxiety)

Exposure to
irritants, for
example,
Poor hydration
alcohol, spicy
food, and
tobacco.

Normal familial
Mechanical
variants (fissured
irritation (burns,
tongue,
chronic dental
geographic
trauma)
tongue)
Types of glossitis
Strawberry tongue : Red denuded
Atrophic glossitis : Erythematous appearance on the dorsal of the tongue.
tongue. Lack of the lingual papillae Persistent hypertrophic fungiform
and a smooth, shiny, dry appearance. papillae.
Atrophic tongue is seen in atropic
glossitis. Benign migratory glossitis: Areas of
smooth tongue with loss of papillae that
may have a surrounding white border;
Median rhomboid glossitis: Central these may change position (migrate)
rhomboid-shaped hyperkeratotic areas. These over time and may be sensitive to
touch or specific foods.Must be
classically appear as erythematous plaque- differentiated from a stable leukoplakic
or erythro leukoplakic lesion which is
like lesions and may be tender to palpation. more worrisome for malignancy
Classically present in the central dorsum of
the mobile tongue. Geometric glossitis: Painful linear fissures
throughout the mobile tongue
The tongue fills up the mouth cavity and then protrudes out of it.

The undersurface of the tongue is a good site along with the bulbar conjunctiva
for observation of jaundice.

In unconscious patients, the tongue may fall back and obstruct the air
passages. This can be prevented either by lying the patient on one side with
head down (the ‘tonsil position’) or by keeping the tongue out mechanically.

Lingual tonsil in the posterior one-third of the tongue forms part of Waldeyer’s
ring
Carcinoma of the tongue (common).
Two types
Oral tongue cancer Oropharyngeal cancer
because it affects the At the base of your tongue
part you can stick out where it connects to your throat
Symptoms

 One of the first signs of tongue cancer is a

lump or sore on the side of your tongue that
doesn’t go away.
 It may be pinkish-red in color.
 Sometimes the sore will bleed if you touch or
bite it
 Pain in or near your tongue
 Changes in your voice, like sounding hoarse
 Trouble swallowing
Causes

 HPV virus
 Tobacco use
 Alcohol use
 Jagged teeth
 Not taking care of your teeth and gums
Affected side removed surgically.
All the deep cervical lymph nodes are also removed i.e., block dissection of neck because
recurrence of malignant disease occurs in lymph nodes.
Carcinoma of the posterior one-third of the tongue bilateral lymphatic spread
(more dangerous)
Sorbitrate (sublingually) for immediate relief from angina pectoris.
It is absorbed fast because of rich blood supply of the tongue and by passing of portal
circulation.
Genioglossus is the
Genioglossus is the only
safety muscle of the
muscle of the tongue
tongue’ because if it is
which protrudes it
paralysed, the tongue
forwards. It is used for
will fall back on the
testing the integrity of
oropharynx and block
hypoglossal nerve. If
the air passage. During
hypoglossal nerve of
anaesthesia, the tongue is
right side is paralysed,
pulled forwards to clear
the tongue on
the air passage.

Normal left genioglossus

protrusion will deviate to will pull the base to left
the right side. side and apex will get
pushed to right side.
DEVELOPMENTAL DISTURBANCE OF TONGUE

1. Aglossia and Microglossia Syndrome

2. Macroglossia

3. Ankyloglossia or Tongue-tie

4. Cleft Tongue

5. Fissured Tongue

6. Median Rhomboid Glossitis

7. Hairy Tongue

8. Lingual Varices

9. Lingual Thyroid Nodule

10. Lymphoid Hamartoma

Aglossia and micro glossia syndrome
. Aglossia syndrome is, in reality, a Microglossia with extreme glossoptosis.
What is commonly observed is a rudimentary, small tongue.
As a consequence of the lack of muscular stimulus between the alveolar arches
These do not develop transversely
Mandible does not grow in an anterior direction
Results in severe dentoskeletal malocclusion

This syndrome shows no predilection for gender and has no genetic

implications.
Etiology -fetal cell traumatism in the first few weeks of gestation.
MICROGLOSSIA

AGLOSSIA
Macroglossia
(Tongue hypertrophy, prolapsus of the
tongue, enlarged
tongue,pseudomacroglossia)
Macroglossia, meaning large tongue

Commonly seen in Down syndrome and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome

Etiology of macroglossia are extensive.

Historically, Virchow described it as a form of elephantiasis.

In last 100 years, Butlin and Spencer attributed it to the dilation of lymphatics, muscle
hypertrophy, or inflammation.
Because of the large number of possible etiologies, multiple classification schemes have been
used to list the causes.
True macroglossia

The two broadest categories under the

heading of macroglossia

Pseudomacroglossia
Physical examination of the oral cavity and head
morphology is helpful to deduce true macroglossia
from pseudomacroglossia.
Severe retrognatahia and unusually small maxillary
and mandibular size may indicate the
pseudomacroglossia
In addition, check tongue tone and mobility to rule
out simple atonia or hypotonia indicating poor
posturing of the tongue—is commonly observed in
Down syndrome
Ankyloglossia or Tongue-tie

Ankyloglossia, or tongue-tie as it is more commonly known, is said to exist when the inferior
frenulum attaches to the bottom of the tongue and subsequently restricts free movement of
the tongue.

Cause speech problems(especially in articulation of the sounds: l, r, t, d, n, th, sh, and z.)

Cause feeding problems in infants

May contribute to dental problems as well, causing a persistent gap between the mandibular
incisors.

Treatment- Frenulectomy to free the tongue tip.

Cleft Tongue

A completely cleft or
A partially cleft tongue
bifid tongue is a rare
is- more common and
condition that is
is manifested simply as
apparently due to lack
a deep groove in the
of merging of the
midline of the dorsal
lateral lingual swellings
surface
of this organ.
Results because of incomplete merging and failure of
groove obliteration by underlying mesenchymal
proliferation.

Seen in oral-facial-digital syndrome

Food debris and microorganisms may collect in the base

of the cleft and cause irritation.
Fissured Tongue
(Scrotal tongue, lingua plicata)

Fissured tongue is a condition frequently seen in the general

population and it is characterized by grooves that vary in
depth and are noted along the dorsal and lateral aspects of
the tongue.
Fissured tongue is also seen in Melkersson-Rosenthal
syndrome and Down syndrome and in frequent
association with benign migratory glossitis (geographic
tongue).
Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, which consists of a triad
offissured tongue, cheilitis granulomatosa, and cranial nerve
VII paralysis (Bell’s palsy).

Histologic examination has shown an increase in the

thickness of the lamina propria, loss of filiform papillae of
the surface mucosa, hyperplasia of the rete pegs,
neutrophilic micro abscesses within the epithelium, and a
mixed inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propria.
Median Rhomboid Glossitis from the
first and
Two second
lateral branchial
processes arches, the
Embryologically the (lingual tuberculu
tongue tubercles) m impar.

Is formed meeting in
by the
midline
and fusing
above a
central
structure
The posterior dorsal point of fusion is occasionally defective, leaving a
rhomboid-shaped, smooth erythematous mucosa lacking in papillae or taste
buds.

This median rhomboid glossitis (central papillary atrophy, posterior lingual

papillary atrophy) is a focal area of susceptibility to recurring or chronic
atrophic candidiasis, prompting a recent shift towards the use of posterior
midline atrophic candidiasis as a more appropriate diagnostic term.
Median rhomboid glossitis presents in the posterior midline of the dorsum of the tongue, just
anterior to the V-shaped grouping of the circumvallate papillae.

The long axis of the rhomboid or oval area of red depapillation is in the anteroposterior
direction.
•Those lesions with atrophic candidiasis are usually more
erythematous but some respond with excess keratin
production, and therefore, show a white surface change.
Infected cases may also demonstrate a midline soft palate
erythema in the area of routine contact with the
underlying tongue involvement; this is commonly
referred to as a kissing lesion.
Benign Migratory Glossitis(Geographic tongue)
 Benign migratory glossitis is a psoriasiform mucositis of the dorsum of the tongue.
Dominant characteristics -constantly changing pattern of serpiginous white lines
surrounding areas of smooth, depapillated mucosa.
Seen - psoriasis
-High psychological stress.
 Prominent serpiginous line at the periphery of a depapillated
patch.
 A thickened layer of keratin is infiltrated with neutrophils, as
are lower portions of the epithelium to a lesser extent. These
inflammatory cells often produce small micro-abscesses,
called Monro’s abscesses, in the keratin and spinous layers.
Rete ridges are typically thin and considerably elongated, with
only a thin layer of epithelium overlying connective tissue
papillae.
 When rete ridges are not elongated, the pathologist should
consider Reiter’s syndrome as a diagnostic possibility
Hairy Tongue
(Lingua nigra, lingua
villosa, lingua villosa nigra,
black hairy tongue)

Hairy tongue (lingua villosa) is a commonly observed

condition of defective desquamation of the filiform
papillae that results from a variety of precipitating factors
. The condition is most frequently referred to as black
hairy tongue (lingua villosa nigra);

however, hairy tongue may also appear brown, white,

green, pink, or any of a variety of hues depending on the
specific etiology and secondary factors (e.g., use of
colored mouth washes, breath mints, candies).
Etiology-
The basic defect - hypertrophy of filiform papillae on the dorsal
surface of the tongue,usually due to a lack of mechanical stimulation
and debridement.
This condition often occurs in individuals with poor oral hygiene
(e.g. lack of toothbrushing, eating a soft diet with no roughage that
would otherwise mechanically debride the dorsal surface of the
tongue). Contributory factors for hairy tongue are numerous and
include tobacco use and coffee or tea drinking.
These factors account for the various colors associated with the
condition.
• Clinical Features:

• Normal filiform papillae are approximately 1

mm in length, whereas filiform papillae in hairy
tongue are more than 15 mm in length.
• Hairy tongue has been reported with greater
frequency in males, patients infected with
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Patients frequently complain of a tickling
sensation in the soft palate and oropharynx
during swallowing.
• No racial predilection is associated
with hairy tongue.
• Because hairy tongue is usually
asymptomatic, the history is often
irrelevant.
• The tongue has a thick coating in the
middle, with a greater accentuation
towards the back.
• Bacterial and fungal overgrowth play a
role in the color of the tongue.
• The only complication associated with hairy tongue an occasional
candidal overgrowth, which often results in an uncomfortable
glossopyrosis (burning tongue).
• Altered taste sensation is a rare complication
Differential Diagnosis:
 Candidiasis
 Leukoplakia
 oral lichen planus
 oral hairy leukoplakia.
(Causative agent of oral hairy leukoplakia-Epstein-Barr
virus)
 Oral hairy leukoplakia and hairy tongue is important if patients are found or suspected to
be HIV positive.
 This can be accomplished by a simple mucosal punch biopsy and appropriate
immunostaining of the specimen for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus, the causative agent
of oral hairy leukoplakia.
 However, in most cases, the diagnosis is made retrospectively on the basis of the clinical
response to mechanical debridement.
 Hairy tongue consist of elongated filiform papillae, with mild hyperkeratosis and
occasional inflammatory cells.
Lingual Varices
(Lingual or sublingual varicosities)

 A varix is a dilated, tortuous vein, most commonly a vein which is subjected to

increased hydrostatic pressure but poorly supported by surrounding tissue.
 Varices involving the lingual ranine veins are relatively common, appearing as red or
purple shot like clusters of vessels on the ventral surface and lateral borders of the
tongue as well as in the floor of the mouth.
 However, varices also do occur in other oral sites such as the upper and lower lip,
buccal mucosa, and buccal commissure
Lingual Thyroid Nodule
 The thyroid gland develops in the embryo
from the ventral floor of the pharynx by
means of an endodermal invagination or
diverticulum.
 The tongue forms at the same time from
this pharyngeal floor and is anatomically
associated with the thyroid gland by
connection through the thyroglossal tract,
the lingual remnant of which is known as
the foramen caecum
The lingual thyroid is an anomalous
condition in which follicles of thyroid
tissue are found in the substance of the
tongue, possibly arising from a thyroid
anlage that failed to‘migrate’ to its
predestined position or from anlage
remnants that became detached and were
left behind.
The lingual thyroid may be manifested
clinically as a nodular mass in or near
the base of the tongue in the general
vicinity of the foramen caecum and
often, but not always, in the midline.
This mass, which more commonly
appears as deeply situated rather than
as a superficial exophytic lesion, tends
to have a smooth surface.
REFERENCES

1. BD-Chaurasia’s-Human-Anatomy-Volume-3-4
2. Shafer's Textbook of Oral Pathology
3. Grey’s anatomy 39th edition
4. Brandon Peters (2023) Tongue: Anatomy, Function, and
Disorders How this organ helps with eating, tasting,
speaking, and breathing