Root of tongue

The root of tongue forms the posterior one-third of the tongue and lies within the oropharynx posterior to the sulcus terminalis. Unlike the body of the tongue, the root is relatively fixed and attached to the mandible and hyoid bone by the genioglossus muscle, hyoglossus muscle, and mucosal folds. Its dorsal surface contains numerous lymphoid nodules collectively known as the lingual tonsil, which forms part of the Waldeyer's ring. The root is connected to the epiglottis by three mucosal folds: one median glossoepiglottic fold and two lateral glossoepiglottic folds, with depressions between them called the valleculae.

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