Organ
Tongue
Interlacing muscles for taste, food control and speech
High-yield
Anterior oral tongue: V3 for ordinary sensation and VII for taste. Posterior tongue: IX for both. Circumvallate papillae lie anterior to the sulcus yet receive IX; the epiglottic region has vagal sensory input.
Overview
The tongue combines mobile muscle with specialized mucosa. Its oral portion handles food and articulation, while the base extends into the oropharynx. The terminal sulcus separates these regions, but nerve and lymphatic territories do not obey that line without exceptions.
Reference facts
- Location
- Occupies much of the oral cavity and extends into the oropharynx, with muscular attachments to the mandible, hyoid, styloid and palatal regions.
- Parts
- Oral body and pharyngeal base, divided by the terminal sulcus and foramen cecum. Dorsal papillae include filiform, fungiform, foliate and circumvallate types; lingual tonsil occupies the base.
- Blood supply
- Mainly lingual artery branches, with smaller neighboring pharyngeal and facial contributions.
- Innervation
- XII supplies most intrinsic and extrinsic muscles; palatoglossus receives X. Sensation and taste use V3, VII, IX and X in overlapping regional territories.
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Lingual veins reach the internal jugular system. Tip, lateral and central tongue drain through differing combinations of submental, submandibular and deep cervical nodes, with direct and cross-midline routes.
- Function
- Manipulates and propels food, supports articulation, detects taste and helps maintain the upper airway configuration.
Mnemonic
The front splits taste from touch; IX reunites them posteriorly and at the circumvallate row.
Clinical correlation
Tongue lymphatics can cross the midline, so even an anterior tumor may spread contralaterally. A peripheral hypoglossal lesion can cause ipsilateral weakness and atrophy, with protrusion toward the weak side; examination findings depend on lesion extent and timing.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the tongue located?
Occupies much of the oral cavity and extends into the oropharynx, with muscular attachments to the mandible, hyoid, styloid and palatal regions.
What does the tongue do?
Manipulates and propels food, supports articulation, detects taste and helps maintain the upper airway configuration.
What are the parts of the tongue?
Oral body and pharyngeal base, divided by the terminal sulcus and foramen cecum. Dorsal papillae include filiform, fungiform, foliate and circumvallate types; lingual tonsil occupies the base.
What is the blood supply of the tongue?
Mainly lingual artery branches, with smaller neighboring pharyngeal and facial contributions.