The root of tongue is the deeper anatomical part of the tongue contained in the oral cavity.
The term root of tongue should not be confused with the base of tongue, which is part of the oropharynx and is the posterior third of the tongue, posterior to the circumvallate papillae.
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Terminology
Terminology pertaining to the tongue can be confusing with terms such as mobile tongue, base of tongue, root of tongue, and floor of mouth being used in different ways 1,2. Here is a glossary of terms, along with which space it belongs to.
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anterior two-thirds, anterior to the circumvallate papillae
part of oral cavity
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posterior one-third, posterior to the circumvallate papillae
part of oropharynx
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root of tongue
region deep to the mobile tongue and anterior to the base of the tongue
part of oral cavity, specifically within the floor of mouth 4
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U-shaped mylohyoid muscle under the geniohyoid muscles
comprised of the root of tongue and sublingual spaces 4
part of oral cavity
Gross anatomy
Contents
The root of tongue includes the lingual septum and bilateral genioglossus and geniohyoid muscles (genioglossus-geniohyoid muscle complex) 1,2.
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 pathology
Of note, squamous cell carcinoma does not originate from the root of tongue itself, but rather invades it from adjacent mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity or anterior oropharynx. This is important in staging for oral cavity or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma 3.
These are multiple entities that may arise from the root of tongue 1.
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congenital
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infectious
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neoplastic
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benign
rhabdomyoma
schwannoma
neurofibroma
leiomyoma
plexiform neurofibroma
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malignant
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