The Oral Cavity

The oral cavity contains the teeth and gums and the tongue. The tongue is a largely muscular organ that lies on the floor of the mouth (Figure 26.1). The floor of the mouth, although covered with mucosa, is made up mainly of the mylohyoid muscle, stretching from one side of the mandible to the other like a sling (Figure 26.2).

The Tongue

The tongue is divided into an anterior two-thirds and a posterior one-third (Figure 26.1a). The posterior third is in the oropharynx and as well as tongue muscle contains collections of lymphoid tissue – the lingual tonsils. These can become enlarged and infected causing trouble with breathing and swallowing.

The tongue contains the taste buds and numerous small salivary glands. The tongue has a very rich blood supply from the lingual artery (Figure 26.1b) and from other branches of the external carotid artery. The motor nerve supply to the tongue is from the hypoglossal nerve. In patients who have had trauma to the hypoglossal nerve, the tongue will deviate to the side ipsilateral to the nerve damage when the tongue is protruded.

The Floor of the Mouth

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