ULTRASONIC ASSESSMENT OF THE ANATOMY AND FUNCTION OF THE TONGUE

The tongue is a complex muscular structure. Apart from its intrinsic s trength, it has a major influence on the adjacent bony structures. Rea l time ultrasound appears to be the method of choice for assessing the topographic and functional anatomy. The examination was performed usi ng an Acuson 128 scanner, with a 5 MHz probe, either a sector scanner (sagittal plane) or linear array probe (coronal plane). The scans were performed using the sub-hyoid approach, between the rami of the mandi ble. The images were stored on U-matic videotape. Thirty adult patient s were included in the study population. The scan protocol consisted o f an examination of the tongue at rest, a scan of the swallowing mecha nism with and without a liquid bolus and a study of the posterior ling ual positions (which show some anatomical variation). The intrinsic mu scles of the tongue and the floor of the mouth could be identified on the ''at rest'' images. The lingual mass is the most important paramet er and is opposed against the palate in order to propel a bolus during the swallowing mechanism. The mobility, shape and supporting structur es of the tongue are variable depending on the nature of the bolus, th e patient and the two imaging planes. Ultrasound is a simple and non-i nvasive method for the examination of the buccal cavity. The function of the posterior portion of the tongue must be taken into consideratio n prior to any treatment concerning the oral cavity.