Anatomía - Lengua (Caras, Bordes, Músculos, Vasos y Nervios)

Introduction

This tutorial provides an overview of the anatomy of the tongue, including its surfaces, edges, muscles, vessels, and nerves. Understanding the structure of the tongue is essential for medical students and health professionals alike, as it plays a critical role in functions such as taste, swallowing, and speech.

Step 1: Identify the Surfaces of the Tongue

The tongue has distinct surfaces that can be categorized as follows:

• Dorsal Surface: The top part of the tongue, containing papillae that house taste buds.
• Ventral Surface: The underside of the tongue, which is smooth and contains blood vessels.
• Lateral Borders: The sides of the tongue, which can be examined for abnormalities.

Practical Tip

• Use a tongue depressor and good lighting to observe the surfaces clearly during examinations.

Step 2: Understand the Muscles of the Tongue

The tongue is composed of both intrinsic and extrinsic muscles:

• Intrinsic Muscles: These muscles are responsible for changing the shape of the tongue and include:

  • Superior longitudinal
  • Inferior longitudinal
  • Transverse
  • Vertical

• Extrinsic Muscles: These muscles anchor the tongue to other structures and include:

  • Genioglossus
  • Hyoglossus
  • Styloglossus
  • Palatoglossus

Common Pitfall

• Ensure to differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, as they serve different functions in tongue movement.

Step 3: Explore the Vascular Supply

The tongue receives blood supply primarily from the following arteries:

• Lingual Artery: A branch of the external carotid artery that supplies most of the tongue.
• Dorsal Lingual Branches: Supply the posterior part of the tongue.

Practical Tip

• Familiarize yourself with the vascular anatomy to understand potential complications during surgical procedures involving the tongue.

Step 4: Examine the Nerve Supply

The tongue's sensation and movement are controlled by several nerves:

• Hypoglossal Nerve (CN XII): Responsible for motor function.
• Lingual Nerve (a branch of CN V3): Provides sensory innervation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.
• Glossopharyngeal Nerve (CN IX): Supplies the posterior one-third of the tongue.

Explanation of Complex Terms

• Innervation: The supply of nerves to a specific body part, which is crucial for its function.

Step 5: Recognize Functional Aspects

Understanding the anatomy of the tongue aids in recognizing various functions:

• Taste Perception: Different areas of the tongue are sensitive to different tastes (sweet, salty, sour, bitter).
• Speech Production: The tongue's position and shape change during speech, influencing articulation.

Real-World Application

• Knowledge of tongue anatomy is essential for diagnosing oral health issues, speech disorders, and assessing swallowing difficulties.

Conclusion

In summary, this guide has outlined the essential aspects of tongue anatomy, including its surfaces, muscles, blood supply, and nerve innervation. Mastering this knowledge is vital for medical students and professionals working in healthcare. As a next step, consider further exploring clinical correlations and common disorders related to tongue anatomy.