Root

Definition

The root of the tongue is the posterior third of the tongue that anchors it to the floor of the mouth and the hyoid bone. It plays a crucial role in swallowing and speech production.

Related terms

Hyoid Bone:

A horseshoe-shaped bone situated in the anterior midline of the neck between the chin and thyroid cartilage, serving as an anchor point for tongue muscles.

Pharynx:

A muscular tube that connects the nasal and oral cavities to the esophagus and larynx, playing a key role in breathing, swallowing, and speech.

Swallowing: A complex process involving over 50 pairs of muscles and many nerves, working to move food from the mouth through the pharynx and into the esophagus