Anatomy & Histology · patient case with 1 question
Bleeding during biopsy of the posterior dorsum of the tongue
Scenario: A lesion on the POSTERIOR side of the DORSUM of the tongue bleeds while a biopsy is being taken.
Question 1
What is the source of the bleeding?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Dorsal lingual artery
- A. The deep lingual (profunda linguae) artery is the terminal branch running on the INFERIOR (ventral) surface of the tongue toward the tip — it is the vessel at risk in ventral tongue surgery, not on the posterior dorsum.
- B. The sublingual artery supplies the sublingual gland and the FLOOR OF MOUTH — the vessel of concern in floor-of-mouth surgery and in anterior mandibular implant placement.
- C. The facial artery supplies the face, submandibular gland, tonsil and palate; it is not the direct supply to the tongue dorsum.
- D. Correct. The lingual artery gives off DORSAL LINGUAL branches that supply the POSTERIOR DORSUM of the tongue, the palatoglossal arch, tonsil and soft palate. A lesion biopsied on the posterior dorsum bleeds from these branches.
Note: Lingual artery branches, in order: SUPRAHYOID → DORSAL LINGUAL (posterior dorsum) → SUBLINGUAL (floor of mouth) → DEEP LINGUAL / profunda linguae (ventral tongue to the tip).