The intra-lingual course of the nerves of the tongue

Abstract

The intra-lingual course of the nerves of tongue has never been studied in the human by the Sihler method. This technique was applied to six human tongues and allowed coloration of the nerves and illustration of the tongue. The course of the hypoglossal, glossopharyngeal, and lingual nerves was defined. Constant anastomoses between the lingual and hypoglossal nerves, between the glossopharyngeal nerve and the hypoglossal and lingual nerves, were demonstrated and may help explain the "neck-tongue" syndrome. This cartography of the nerves of the tongue allowed the definition of the motor and sensory consequences of tongue surgery.