---
title: "Nerve Supply of Tongue"
description: "A detailed explanation of the motor and sensory nerve supply of the tongue."
source: "The ENT Resident"
author: "Dr. Mausumi Das"
canonical_url: "https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/nerve-supply-tongue"
categories: ["Oral Cavity and Salivary Glands", "Short Questions in ENT"]
video: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WerP0vmx7Co"
image: "https://media.theentresident.com/og-images/nerve-supply-tongue.png"
---

# Nerve Supply of Tongue

A detailed explanation of the motor and sensory nerve supply of the tongue. Watch the full video lecture on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WerP0vmx7Co

## Nerve Supply of the Tongue

Understanding the **nerve supply of the tongue** is a common yet tricky question in viva exams. 

It's essential to approach it in an organized manner by dividing it into:

- **Motor Supply**
- **Sensory Supply**

---

### 🔌 Motor Supply of the Tongue

The **motor supply** of the tongue is further divided into three components:

1. **Somatomotor**
2. **Secretomotor**
3. **Vasomotor**

#### 1. Somatomotor Supply

This refers to the **supply to the muscles of the tongue**.

- All **intrinsic and extrinsic muscles** of the tongue are supplied by the **hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)**.

- 🚨 _**Exception**: The **palatoglossus** muscle is supplied by the **cranial part of the accessory nerve (CN XI)** via the **pharyngeal plexus**._

🔁 **Key Point to Memorize:**

> _All the muscles of the tongue (extrinsic and intrinsic) are supplied by the hypoglossal nerve **except** palatoglossus, which is supplied by the cranial part of the accessory nerve via the pharyngeal plexus._

#### 2. Secretomotor Supply

This refers to the **nerves responsible for glandular secretions** in the tongue.

- Originates from the **superior salivatory nucleus**
- Relays in the **submandibular ganglion**
- **Postganglionic fibers** reach the tongue via the **lingual nerve**

#### 3. Vasomotor Supply

This refers to the **sympathetic supply to blood vessels** of the tongue.

- Derived from **sympathetic nerves** around the **lingual artery**
- These carry **postganglionic fibers** from the **superior cervical ganglion**

---

### 🧷 Sensory Supply of the Tongue

Sensory innervation of the tongue differs for:

- **Anterior two-thirds**
- **Posterior one-third**

This variation is due to their **embryological origin**:

- **Anterior 2/3**: From the **1st pharyngeal arch**
- **Posterior 1/3**: From the **2nd and 3rd pharyngeal arches**

#### ➗ Sensory Supply is of Two Types:

1. General Sensation
2. Special Sensation (Taste)

#### 🔹 Anterior Two-Third

| Type of Sensation | Nerve |
| --- | --- |
| General Sensation | Lingual nerve (CN V3) |
| Special Sensation (Taste) | Chorda tympani (branch of CN VII) via lingual nerve |

#### 🔸 Posterior One-Third

| Type of Sensation | Nerve |
| --- | --- |
| General & Special Sensation | Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) |

---

### 🌸 Special Case: Sensory Supply of the Vallecula

- The **vallecula** is a depression behind the posterior third of the tongue formed by:
  - **Median glossoepiglottic fold**
  - **Lateral glossoepiglottic folds**

- It is **not supplied** by the glossopharyngeal nerve.

- Instead, it's innervated by the **internal laryngeal branch** of the **superior laryngeal nerve (from vagus nerve, CN X)**.

---

### 🧠 Summary Table

| Area | General Sensation | Special Sensation (Taste) | Motor Supply |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Anterior 2/3 of tongue | Lingual nerve (CN V3) | Chorda tympani (CN VII) | Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) |
| Posterior 1/3 of tongue | Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) | Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) | Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) |
| Palatoglossus muscle | — | — | Accessory nerve (CN XI) via pharyngeal plexus |
| Vallecula | Internal laryngeal nerve (branch of CN X) | — | — |

---

## About This Note

This free ENT note on Nerve Supply of Tongue was written by Dr. Mausumi Das and is paired with a corresponding video lecture.

Canonical page of this note: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/nerve-supply-tongue

When citing or referencing this content, please credit The ENT Resident and link to the canonical page above.

## Related Notes by Category

- Oral Cavity and Salivary Glands: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/category/oral-cavity-and-salivary-glands.md
- Short Questions in ENT: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/category/short-questions-in-ent.md

## About The ENT Resident

The ENT Resident is an educational website and resource library created by Dr. Mausumi Das (MS ENT) for ENT residents, ENT postgraduates preparing for exams, and MBBS students.

Dr. Mausumi Das writes the notes, draws the diagrams, and records the lectures herself.

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