PARTS OF THE TONGUE

Parts of the Tongue

The top of the tongue (superior surface) has a V-shaped line known as the terminal sulcus that
divides the tongue into the anterior and posterior surfaces.

The anterior surface is made up of the apex at the tip and body.
The posterior surface is made up entirely of the root.

The inferior surface of the tongue (underside) is also made up of the body and apex.

Picture : Side View of the Human Tongue

Root

Located between the hyoid bone and mandible.

Dorsal portion sits in the oropharynx.
Attaches the tongue to roof of the mouth.

Body

Makes up the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

Rough surface due to the lingual papillae.
Surrounded by anterior and lateral teeth.
Mobile portion of the tongue.

Apex
 Also known as the tip, is the anterior one-third of the anterior tongue surface.
Rests against the incisor teeth.
Highly mobile.

Surface Features of the Tongue

The lingual papillae contain the taste buds and are located on the anterior surface (body
and tip) of the tongue :

1. Vallate papillae are large and flat papillae arranged in a V-shaped row just
in front (anterior) of the terminal sulcus.
2. Foliate papillae are poorly developed folds on the side of the tongue.
3. Filiform papillae are long, conical, pinkish gray projections that are
sensitive to touch.
4. Fungiform papillae are pink to red spots distributed between the filiform
papillae and are most dense at the apex and margins of the tongue.

The posterior surface of the tongue has no lingual papillae but has a rough surface due to
the presence of lymphoid nodules.
The midline groove divides the anterior part of the tongue into the left and right parts.

The inferior surface is connected to the floor of the mouth by a fold known as the frenulum.
A visible vein on either side of the frenulum is known as the deep lingual vein.

The sublingual papillae (caruncle) is located on either side of the base of the frenulum and
it is the opening for the ducts of the submandibular gland (salivary glands).

Muscles of the Tongue

The tongue is a muscular mass and although it is made up of several muscles, all act in
conjunction with each other to perform various movements. The tongue muscles can be divided
into the intrinsic and extrinsic groups. Broadly the intrinsic muscles can alter the shape of the
tongue while the extrinsic muscles change the position of the tongue.

Intrinsic Muscles

These four muscles originate and terminate in the tongue and do not attach to any bone.

1. superior longitudinal
2. inferior longitudinal
3. transverse
4. vertical

The superior and inferior longitudinal muscles can retract the tongue thereby making it short and
thick. The transverse and vertical muscles protrude the tongue out of the mouth thereby making
it long and narrow.

Extrinsic Muscles

These four muscles originate outside the tongue where it is attached to bone.

1. genioglossus
2. hyoglossus
3. styloglossus
4. palatoglossus