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Structure and variability in human tongue muscle anatomy
Maureen Stone1, Jonghye Woo2, Junghoon Lee3
1Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Summary
This study quantifies human tongue muscle architecture using 3D MRI, revealing age, gender, and weight effects on muscle volume and interdigitation. Findings offer insights into tongue anatomy and function.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Biomechanics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The human tongue's complex functions in eating, speaking, and breathing are supported by intricate muscle architecture.
- Previous depictions of tongue musculature relied on qualitative drawings and photographs, lacking volumetric quantification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively measure and analyze the volumetric muscle architecture of the human tongue.
- To investigate the influence of age, gender, and weight on tongue muscle volume and structure.
- To explore the functional implications of tongue muscle interdigitation and anatomical relationships.
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-resolution 3D Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) volumes from 14 human subjects.
- Quantified muscle architecture, including structural and functional volumes, accounting for muscle interdigitation.
- Analyzed variability in muscle structure and volume across different individuals.
Main Results:
- Detailed the structure, relationships, and variability among intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles.
- Demonstrated significant effects of age, gender, and body weight on individual muscle volumes.
- Observed consistent scaling patterns of muscle volumes across subjects, suggesting underlying anatomical principles.
Conclusions:
- Provides the first volumetric quantification of human tongue muscle architecture.
- Highlights the impact of demographic factors on tongue musculature.
- Suggests a correlation between quantified anatomical structure and functional capabilities of the tongue.
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