Sensory Disturbance of the Tongue

Abstract

Sensory disturbance in one half of the tongue indicates an affection of the lingual nerve, which is one of the major sensory branches of the mandibular nerve, the third branch of the trigeminal nerve. The lingual nerve innervates the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, yet quite frequently the patient is not spontaneously aware that the posterior third of the tongue, supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve, is spared. Even on examination he may venture that sensation is altered over the entire surface of the tongue. One cannot expect an anatomically naive person to subjectively elaborate and respect the niceties of neuroanatomy.