Tongue Growth during Prenatal Development in Korean Fetuses and Embryos

Abstract

Background:Prenatal tongue development may affect oral-craniofacial structures, but this muscular organ has rarely been investigated.Methods:In order to document the physiology of prenatal tongue growth, we histologically examined the facial and cranial base structures of 56 embryos and 106 fetuses.Results:In Streeter’s stages 13–14 (fertilization age [FA], 28 to 32 days), the tongue protruded into the stomodeal cavity from the retrohyoid space to the cartilaginous mesenchyme of the primitive cranial base, and in Streeter’s stage 15 (FA, 33 to 36 days), the tongue rapidly swelled and compressed the cranial base to initiate spheno-occipital synchondrosis and continued to swell laterally to occupy most of the stomodeal cavity in Streeter’s stage 16–17 (FA, 37 to 43 days). In Streeter’s stage 18–20 (FA, 44 to 51 days), the tongue was vertically positioned and filled the posterior nasopharyngeal space. As the growth of the mandible and maxilla advanced, the tongue was pulled down and protruded anteriorly to form the linguomandibular complex. Angulation between the anterior cranial base (ACB) and the posterior cranial base (PCB) was formed by the emerging tongue at FA 4 weeks and became constant at approximately 124°–126° from FA 6 weeks until birth, which was consistent with angulations measured on adult cephalograms.Conclusions:The early clockwise growth of the ACB to the maxillary plane became harmonious with the counter-clockwise growth of the PCB to the tongue axis during the early prenatal period. These observations suggest that human embryonic tongue growth affects ACB and PCB angulation, stimulates maxillary growth, and induces mandibular movement to achieve the essential functions of oral and maxillofacial structures.

Pigmented Fungiform Papillae of the Tongue and Lingual Fimbriae as Single Presentation in Adult: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…The tongue originates from the first, second, and third pharyngeal arches and develops at the beginning of the fourth intrauterine week. 21 During this phase, a deep sulcus develops in front of and on both sides of the tongue which gives the tongue its mobility. 22 Normally, apoptosis separates the tongue from the floor of the mouth, and the only tissue that remains to anchor the tongue to the mouth floor is the frenulum.…”

In Utero Glossoptosis in Fetuses With Robin Sequence

“…drawn, but this study suggests that fetal tongue position is detectable on ultrasound and appeared to correlate with the postnatal diagnosis of RS. In utero, tongue development begins at 28-30 days gestation (Hong et al, 2015). Tongue primordium originates at the occipital myotome and migrates in the stomodeal cavity via the retrohyoid space.…”

“…In utero, tongue development begins at 28-30 days gestation (Hong et al, 2015). Tongue primordium originates at the occipital myotome and migrates in the stomodeal cavity via the retrohyoid space.…”

“…At about 8 weeks’ gestation, rapid mandibular growth pulls the tongue anteriorly and inferiorly (Achiron et al, 1997). Embryologic studies show that the tongue develops before the mandible and influences formation of the cranial base, nasopharyngeal structures and jaws (Hong et al, 2015). It is therefore plausible that in utero glossoptosis rather than micrognathia is the initiator of the RS phenotype.…”

Current data on the development of tongue in prenatal period of human ontogenesis

“…Я зык представляет собой мышечный сложный орган, участвующий в формировании речи, а также жевании, глотании, дыхании, контроле секреции, сосании и ощущении вкуса [1,2,3]. Эмбриональное развитие языка начинается на 4-5 неделе внутриутробного периода, оказывая существенное влияние на формирование полости рта, а также костей лицевого черепа, что отмечено у отечественных и зарубежных авторов и определяет актуальность изучения данного вопроса [4,5,6].…”