Lateral border of tongue. Chronic traumatic ulcers, which commonly occur on the lateral border of the tongue, can be caused by fractured, carious, or malpositioned teeth; ill-fitting dentures; and parafunctional habits Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most prevalentoral malignancies affecting the tongue. Thick white areas are identified, sometimes interspersed with erythema, erosions and purpura. May 12, 2025 · The lateral border forms the sides of the tongue, aiding in food manipulation and speech by providing flexibility and support. Dermatologic disorders. Lateral The margins of the tongue are common areas for precancer or cancer and are easily missed by an incomplete examination. from publication: Clinicopathologic BODY The part of tongue, between its root and tip. Image of the lateral border of the tongue with deep red, ulcerated lesion with rolled borders Contributed by Heather Olmo, DDS, MS The macro- and microanatomy of the marginal tongue mucosa were studied. Leukokeratosis can originate at any site in the oral cavity, but it occurs most often on the buccal mucosa, as shown here. The abdomen is nondistended, soft, and nontender. The reticular form of lichen planus is the most common pattern. Random sections from six different locations along the margin and serial sections representing three defined section planes to the margin of the tongue were evaluated. U. Different from that, the present case occurred in the posterior-lateral border of the tongue, anterior to the circumvallate papillae, so it can be considered the first case published in the literature out there. However, sores are sometimes symptoms of other conditions. Anterior two - thirds of tongue (oral tongue): freely mobile portion of tongue that extends anteriorly from line of circumvallate papillae to undersurface of tongue at junction of floor of mouth; composed of skeletal muscle, includes 4 areas: tip, lateral borders, dorsum and undersurface (nonvillous ventral surface of tongue) The anterior part of the tongue lies in the oral cavity with the tip and lateral margins in contact with the lingual surfaces of the teeth, and the dorsal surface in close association with the hard and soft palates. from publication: Clinicopathologic Intraoral examination revealed bilateral white plaques on the lateral borders of the tongue that could not be scrapped off ( Figure 1 A). Being heavy smoker and alcoholic since a young age, he was at high-risk of developing oral cancer. It is highly mobile and can be shifted into a number of different positions and also assume various shapes. Clinically, bilateral lesions are seen on the buccal mucosa, but also on the lateral border of the tongue and even on the lips. Cited 12 February 2026. Morsicatio linguarum or tongue biting is an example of frictional keratosis that results in an area of leukoplakia of the lateral border of the tongue. The patient states that he unaware of these lesions and they are asymptomatic. Intraoral examination is within normal limits except for areas of linear leukoplakia on the right and left lateral borders of the tongue. Squamous cell carcinoma arises here in an area of leukoplakia. Embryologically, it was thought that the tuberculum impar was not covered by the lateral borders of the tongue, resulting in a smooth surface red spot on the midline of the posterior aspect of the dorsal tongue. Figure 4. Foliate papillae are also found on the lateral borders of the tongue. Key Points Oral and Pharyngeal Parts: The tongue is divided into a mobile, anterior two-thirds in the oral cavity and a fixed, posterior one-third in the oropharynx, separated by the V-shaped terminal sulcus. Benign migratory glossitis (geographic tongue) occurs in up to 3% of the population but generally lacks symptoms, although some people experience food sensitivity or a burning sensation. Plaques, erosive and ulcerative sites, especially on the soft palate, lateral, and ventral surface of the tongue or floor of the mouth, show more tendency for harboring dysplasia or carcinoma [1,3,4]. These include presence of pain, single versus multiple lesions, distribution in specific areas, the borders toward the unaffected tissue (clear or hazy, straight or crooked), onset, duration, change in shape and size, whether it is raised in comparison to surrounding mucosa, its relapsing nature, and reasons for improvement or exacerbation. A 75-year-old man presented to the dentistry and oral surgery department with an asymptomatic white spot on the right lateral border of the tongue that had been present for an unknown period of time. Tongue conditions occur in 15. The lungs are clear on auscultation and heart sounds are normal. In this patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, the erythematous patch on the lateral border of the tongue is produced by sloughing of the overlying epithelium. The lesion is asymptomatic and thought to occur more often in patients who are under stress. Learn how this can be a symptom of another condition. Figure D: Erythroleukoplakia - red (arrow) and The lateral borders of the tongue are common areas for oral malignancies to develop. The lateral border is the side of the tongue, and there is one on the right and one on the left of the tongue. A digital manual for the early diagnosis of oral neoplasia Home / Training / Manuals / A digital manual for the early diagnosis of oral neoplasia / Malignant transformation of oral lesions Start studying lateral surface of the tongue. Cancer of the dorsum of the tongue is a diagnostic challenge to the clinician, and has even been called a myth or a misdiagnosis (1) and can mimic granular cell myoblastoma, median rhomboid glossitis, or lichen planus. It lies partly in the mouth cavity and partly in the oropharynx. A 32-year-old white man who had tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presented with a two-year history of white papules and plaques on the lateral borders of his tongue (Figures Download scientific diagram | Geographic Tongue on Left Lateral Border of Tongue. The tongue is examined using both direct and indirect vision. There is no facial droop, but a small laceration on the lateral border of the tongue is present. Deep ulceration and induration suggest malignancy. from publication: Geographic Tongue: The Waging Wanderlust of the Oral Cavity – A Case Report | Tongue and Mouth The oral tongue: Is the freely mobile anterior two-thirds of the tongue The oral tongue is demarcated from the base of tongue by: The circumvallate papillae posteriorly The tongue may be subdivided into: The tip, dorsum, lateral borders and ventral surface The ventral and lateral surfaces: Are in continuity with the floor of mouth: Having… Overview and topographic anatomy General information • Tongue— a muscular structure in the oral cavity, divided into 2 parts: • Oral (presulcal), movable part—the anterior two-thirds of the tongue … Carcinoma of the tongue typically presents on the lateral border or ventral surface. Cutaneous lichen planus tends to clear within a couple of years in most people. In addition, it allows for the retroflexion of the base of the tongue. Known as lateral lingual tonsils, these structures correspond to accumulations of lymphoid tissue that are part of Waldeyer’s lymphatic ring, contributing to the local immune response. Watch this brief video demonstrating how to exam the lateral margins. Learn about the oral tongue and the base of tongue, their parts, functions, and how they relate to tongue cancer. The tongue, a muscular organ, is divided for descriptive purposes into the body, which lies relatively free in the oral cavity, Marginal vessels: drain the lateral (marginal) area of anterior 2/3rd of tongue unilaterally into the submandibular lymph nodes which then drain into lower group (jugulo-omohyoid) of deep cervical lymph nodes. Muscle strength and deep tendon reflexes are normal throughout and there is no neck stiffness. Larger circumvallate papillae are located anterior and parallel to the sulcus terminalis (which separates the anterior and posterior tongue). It is caused by nerve root compression in the cervical spine either from degenerative changes or from an acute soft disc hernation. 5% of the US population. Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting the skin and mucosal surfaces. A frictional keratosis lesion may be elevated from the surface, and patients may find that they develop the habit of nibbling further at these thickened mucosal Watch this brief video demonstrating how to exam the lateral margins. The regular, heavy, prolonged use of smoking and alcohol for more than two decades, the advanced age (50+ years) and the male gender are well-known risk factors for developing oral cancer. Verti … Dorsal Inspect the dorsum of the tongue. Like what you’re learning? Download a brochure for our online, postgraduate Oral Pathology and Radiology certificate program. For lesions that involve significant amounts of neighboring floor mouth, some form of tissue has to be brought in to avoid tethering of the tongue. The two margins meet anteriorly at the apex. Clinical presentation of oral GA in 6 different cases. Suggested Citation SEER Training Modules: Tongue. Boundaries anterior border: mandible lateral borders: sublingual space inferior border: U-shaped mylohyoid muscle under the geniohyoid muscles, the floor of mouth posterior border: base of tongue Related A female patient, aged 59 years, presents with an 8 mm slightly raised lump on the right lateral border of the tongue. The biopsy showed premalignant changes (dysplasia). Figure C: Leukoplakia of the cheek (buccal mucosa) in a smoker. Many of these vesiculobullous oral disorders appear at first glance to be erythematous lesions. Inspect the lateral margins of the tongue as far back as possible. For long, “linear” lesions along the lateral border, the wedge can be planned in a horizontal plane, resulting in a long scar along the lateral border. The IL muscle shortens and provides ventroflexion to the tongue. The margin of tongue is the lateral border separating the dorsum of tongue from the inferior surface of the tongue on each side. Retract the cheek with a finger, tongue blade, or mirror. At 5 years of follow-up this area has not transformed to cancer. These edges are lined with minor salivary glands and taste buds, enhancing sensory functions. Download scientific diagram | Clinical photos of the lesion of the left lateral border of the tongue exhibit the diffuse and wispy nature of the leukoplakia. Grasp the tip of the tongue with a gauze pad to facilitate this part of the examination. Most of the cases occur on lateral tongue border,with only a few cases, occurring on the dorsum with the vast majority of cases forming a base on the tongue border on the side1. Biopsy is essential to rule out carcinoma. The tongue’s primary function is often seen as that of being the organ of taste, however, its role in various other activities is also The root of tongue includes the lingual septum and bilateral genioglossus and geniohyoid muscles (genioglossus-geniohyoid muscle complex) 1,2. It has two surfaces: DORSAL AND VENTRAL. Most patients are adults and a female predilection is reported. This pattern may be misdiagnosed as a fungal infection. It has two borders: Right lateral andLeft lateral. The tongue often has indentations of the teeth contacted on the affected sites, predominantly the lateral borders and tip of the tongue. Running longitudinally down the centre of the tongue is a shallow median furrow under which lies the fibrous median septum which divides the tongue into left and right halves. a Thin, homogeneous mikly white plaque on the posterior right ventrolateral surface of the tongue, with an irregular but well-defined border, measuring 25 mm × 8 mm (Case 1) b Smooth, thick, milky white plaque measuring 24 mm× 20 mm on the left lateral surface of the tongue (Case 7) c Study with Quizlet and memorise flashcards containing terms like adenoid? symptoms?, floor of oropharynx?, lateral relations of oropharynx and others. The lateral lingual swellings slowly grow over the tuberculum impar and merge, forming the anterior two thirds of the tongue. The most common place for cancer to occur on the tongue is the lateral border and the base of the tongue (very high risk area). Parts of the second, third, and fourth branchial arches give rise to the base of the tongue. Click the full screen icon in the bottom right hand corner of the video thumbnail to view it full-sized. Inferior border: Should extend to cover the supraglottic larynx adequately 4 Lateral borders: Must encompass bilateral cervical lymphatics, as supraglottic tumors have bilateral lymphatic drainage patterns 5 The effects of the habit of chronic biting may also manifest on the anterior and lateral borders of the tongue and appear as white shaggy or mildly wrinkled plaques (see image below). The borders should be inspected for ulceration, inflammation, swelling or white patches. Lichen planus appears in nummular form on a patient’s tongue. Interlacing keratotic striae (Wickham’s striae) are visible on the buccal mucosa of a patient with lichen planus. Learn more here. Tissues were harvested from 12 individuals at autopsy. Username: Password: Anatomy of Tongue. . of the tongue. Posterolateral The human tongue is a muscular organ that is covered by a thin mucous membrane. We present a case of a young female who visited us with a | Stomatitis, Case Reports and Tongue | ResearchGate, the professional network for scientists. The transverse muscles run laterally across the tongue, connecting the medial septum and the lateral aspect of the tongue. Cervical radiculopathy is a clinical condition characterized by unilateral arm pain, numbness and tingling in a dermatomal distribution in the hand, and weakness in specific muscle groups associated with a single cervical nerve root. Please enter your username and password to proceed. The biopsy showed dysplasia and within 3 years this area became cancerous (squamous cell carcinoma). Intraoral examination revealed a well demarcated single, round, mobile nodule with yellowish erythematous appearance, in the lateral border of the tongue, measuring 1 × 1 cm (Fig. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. A sore on the side of the tongue is usually a canker sore or cold sore. Extremities are without edema or cyanosis. The most common tongue conditions are geographic tongue, fissured tongue, and black hairy tongue; these conditions do not require treatment The oral cavity is the first part of the digestive system that contain structures necessary for mastication and speech; teeth, tongue and salivary glands. Trauma as a result of parafunction can also exacerbate underlying pathologies, in particular recurrent aphthous ulceration and geographic tongue. Anterior and Lateral Borders: The front and sides of the tongue are bordered by the upper and lower rows of teeth and gums within the mouth. Occipital somites give rise to myoblasts, which form the intrinsic tongue musculature. Scalloped tongue causes rippling along your tongue edges, often from swelling. The anterior two-thirds of the dorsal tongue contains filiform papillae and fungiform papillae, mainly at the lateral margins. S. Available from: https Figure B: Leukoplakia on the left lateral tongue in a non-smoker. 1). That is, it sits just above the mucosa of the inferior surface of the tongue. National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. In this report, we present a case of a 67-year-old male with a mass on the posterior-lateral border of the tongue. A non-healing ulcer persisting on the lateral border of the tongue over 4 months’ duration triggers suspicions of malignancy. n3dm, 2eunh, ntdkx, 4czbpe, 3nomx, xa9z, eyekm, 3opxl, tkvsz, upulc,