Apex of tongue - Oral cavity - Oral cavity - e-Anatomy
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Apex of tongue

Apex linguae

  • Synonym: Tip of tongue
  • Related terms: Apex of tongue; Tip of tongue

Definition

Muhammad A. Javaid

The apex of tongue is the pointed anterior free end of the tongue that lies immediately posterior to the incisor teeth when the mouth is closed. It forms the most mobile part of the tongue and rests against the lingual surfaces of the lower incisors.

Inferiorly, the apex is connected to the floor of the mouth by the lingual frenulum, a midline mucosal fold that helps stabilise tongue movement.

The mucosa over the apex region is highly sensitive due to its rich sensory innervation from the lingual nerve (V3) for general sensation and the chorda tympani (CN VII) for taste.

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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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