Tongue tie

Tongue Tie

Tongue tie (Ankyloglossia) is a medical condition that affects a person's ability to move their tongue freely because the frenulum, the band of tissue under the tongue, is too short or tight. This condition is present at birth and can affect feeding, speech, and oral hygiene.

Pronunciation

Ankyloglossia: /ˌæŋkɪloʊˈɡlɒsiə/

Etymology

The term "Ankyloglossia" comes from the Greek words "ankulos" meaning crooked or bent, and "glossia" meaning tongue.

Symptoms

Symptoms of tongue tie can vary and may include difficulty sticking out the tongue, difficulty lifting the tongue to the upper teeth or moving it from side to side, and trouble with certain sounds during speech. In infants, it can cause problems with breastfeeding.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of tongue tie is typically made through a physical examination of the mouth and tongue. In some cases, a Speech-Language Pathologist may be involved to assess the impact of the tongue tie on speech and feeding.

Treatment

Treatment for tongue tie may include a procedure known as a Frenotomy, where the frenulum is cut to free the tongue for a wider range of motion. In some cases, a Frenuloplasty, a more extensive surgical procedure, may be required.

Related Terms

• Frenulum
• Frenotomy
• Frenuloplasty
• Speech-Language Pathologist

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Tongue tie
• Wikipedia's article - Tongue tie

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