Structure of the tongue (English)

In this overview image, the three main parts of the tongue are illustrated: The tip of the tongue (apex) lies most anteriorly. The body of the tongue is divided into two hemispheres by the median sulcus of the tongue and contains numerous lingual papillae. It has a rough dorsal (superior) and a smooth ventral (inferior) surface. The root of the tongue with the lingual tonsils is located posteriorly. Just anterior to it lies the foramen cecum, an embryological remnant of the thyroglossal duct. The epiglottis is located posteriorly to the root of the tongue and the palatine tonsils laterally.