Anterior part of tongue - Oral cavity - Oral cavity - e-Anatomy
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Anterior part of tongue

Pars anterior linguae

  • Latin synonym: Pars presulcalis linguae
  • Synonym: Presulcal part of tongue
  • Related terms: Anterior part; Presulcal part; Dorsum of tongue: Anterior part; Presulcal part

Definition

Muhammad A. Javaid

The anterior part of tongue refers to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue (a.k.a. the body of the tongue), which lies within the oral cavity proper anterior to the sulcus terminalis. It is highly mobile and covered by specialised mucosa containing lingual papillae, including filiform, fungiform, circumvallate, and foliate papillae.

The anterior part is formed by intrinsic and extrinsic skeletal muscles that enable changes in shape and position during speech, mastication, and swallowing.

Innervation

  • General sensory innervation from anterior part of tongue is transmitted by the lingual nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V3),

  • Taste sensation from anterior part is carried mainly by the chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve (CN VII).

  • Motor supply to tongue muscles is provided by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).

Vasculature and lymphatics

The region receives its blood supply from the lingual artery and drains lymph mainly to the submental and submandibular lymph nodes.

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References

  • Dotiwala AK, Samra NS. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Tongue. [Updated 2023 Aug 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507782/

  • Standring, S. (2015) Grays Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st edn. London: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. Chapter 31, Oral cavity.

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