Body of tongue - Oral cavity - Oral cavity - e-Anatomy
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Body of tongue

Corpus linguae

Definition

Antoine Micheau & Muhammad A. Javaid

The body of tongue refers to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue that lies within the oral cavity proper. It is separated from the posterior one-third (or the root) of the tongue by means of a V-shaped groove called the sulcus terminalis.

The body of tongue is highly mobile and is covered by specialised mucosa containing numerous lingual papillae. Its superior (dorsal) surface bears the filiform, fungiform, and circumvallate papillae, while the inferior surface is smooth and covered by thin mucosa attached to the floor of the mouth by the lingual frenulum.

Structurally, the body of tongue consists of interlacing intrinsic muscles, which alter the shape of the tongue, and extrinsic muscles, which change its position.

Note:

For further details regarding tongue anatomy, its muscles, vasculature, and innervation, please refer to the relevant subsections.

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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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