Anatomy of Tongue
The tongue is composed of voluntary muscle. It is attached by its base to the hyoid bone and by a fold of its mucous membrane covering, called the frenulum, to the floor of the mouth. The superior surface consists of stratified squamous epithelium, with numerous papillae. Many of these contain sensory receptors for the sense of taste in the taste buds. The main arterial blood supply to the tongue is by the lingual branch of the external carotid artery. Venous drainage is by the lingual vein, which joins the internal jugular vein. The nerve supply involved are: the hypoglossal nerves, the lingual branch of the mandibular nerves, facial and glossopharyngeal nerves.
Functions of the tongue
1. Chewing (mastication)
2. Swallowing (deglutition)
3. Speech
4. Taste.
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| Fig: Different Parts of Tongue |
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