Tongue Retraction

To perform this examination one must open the patient’s mouth and observe the tongue and then lightly touch the tongue.  Observe the tongue for normal appearance and symmetry.  When touched the tongue should retract.

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The mouth is held open and the tongue is touched.  This sensory input is carried via the lingual nerve (a branch of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve, CN V).  The efferent response is mediated via the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) and result in retraction of the tongue.

The mouth is held open and the tongue is touched.  This sensory input is carried via the lingual nerve (a branch of the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve, CN V).  The efferent response is mediated via the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) and result in retraction of the tongue.

The mouth is held open and the tongue is touched.  This sensory input is carried via the lingual nerve (a branch of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve, CN V).  The efferent response is mediated via the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) and result in retraction of the tongue