Tongue Development
Introduction
The tongue's embryonic orgin is derived from all pharyngeal arches contributing different components. As the tongue develops "inside" the floor of the oral cavity, it is not readily visible in the external views of the embryonic (Carnegie) stages of development. Tongue muscle cells originate from somites, while muscles of mastication derive from the unsegmented somitomeres. This current page gives a brief overview of early tongue development.
These notes cover development of the muscular tongue, not the sense of taste.
| Taste Links: Introduction | Student project | Tongue Development | Category:Taste | ||
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| original Head and Neck Development - Tongue page
Some Recent Findings
Shh and ROCK1 modulate the dynamic epithelial morphogenesis in circumvallate papilla development.[1]
Pharyngeal Arch Contributions
The tongue has contributions from all pharyngeal arches which changes with time. The tongue initially begins as swelling rostral to foramen cecum, the median tongue bud.
- Arch 1 - oral part of tongue (anterior 3/2)
- Arch 2 - initial contribution to surface is lost
- Arch 3 - pharyngeal part of tongue (posterior 1/3)
- Arch 4 - epiglottis and adjacent regions
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Tongue Muscles
Tongue muscles originate from the somites. Tongue muscles develop before masticatory muscles and is completed by birth.
Masticatory muscles (MM) originate from the somitomeres. These muscles develop late and are not complete even at birth.
Developing muscle fibers within the tongue. Note the multinucleated appearance of each muscle fiber and their overall organization. Muscle goes through the same developmental changes as other skeletal muscle.
See also: Embryonic and postnatal development of masticatory and tongue muscles.[2]
Lingual Frenulum
Frenulum is a general term for a small fold of integument (skin) or mucous membrane that limits the movements of an organ or part. There are several anatomical frenula associated with the genital system, while the lingual frenulum is associated with the inferior side of the tongue.
The lingual frenulum length (short) and position of insertion (anterior) can affect postnatal feeding and later lead to speech disorders.[3] Children with a frenulum length of more than 2 cm do not show these problems. Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) is the general clinical term for the short frenulum which limits the range of movement of the tongue, there is still no accurate classification for this condition.[4] Frenotomy, frenectomy, and frenuloplasty are the main surgical treatment options to release or remove an ankyloglossia.
Abnormalities
Ankyloglossia
Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) is the general clinical term for the short lingual frenulum (less than 2 cm), that limits the range of movement of the tongue. This is associated with speech development disorders and has been suggested as also associated with feeding disorders. There is still no accurate classification for this condition.[5] Frenotomy, frenectomy, and frenuloplasty are the main surgical treatment options to release or remove an ankyloglossia, though there is still discussion about surgical intervention.
A short lingual frenulum is also associated with a number of genetic syndromes such as: ROR2-Related Robinow Syndrome, Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, Oral-Facial-Digital Syndrome Type I, Opitz Syndrome (X-Linked Opitz G/BBB Syndrome) and Van der Woude syndrome.
- Links: Medline Plus - Tongue tie | ROR2-Related Robinow Syndrome | Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa | Oral-Facial-Digital Syndrome Type I | X-Linked Opitz G/BBB Syndrome
References
Articles
<pubmed>9060129</pubmed>
Search PubMed: Tongue Development
Glossary Links
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Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, May 3) Embryology Tongue Development. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Tongue_Development
- © Dr Mark Hill 2024, UNSW Embryology ISBN: 978 0 7334 2609 4 - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G
