The tongue's blood supply comes primarily from the lingual artery, with venous drainage via the lingual vein.
Lingual Artery: The Primary Blood Source
The lingual artery is the main source of arterial blood for the tongue. According to reference [8], it's a branch of the external carotid artery. The lingual artery's origin from the external carotid artery is specifically located near the tip of the hyoid bone's greater horn, situated between the facial and superior thyroid arteries.
Venous Drainage: Lingual Vein
The lingual vein provides the venous drainage for the tongue.
Here's a quick summary in table format:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Primary Artery | Lingual Artery |
| Artery Origin | External Carotid Artery (at the tip of the hyoid bone's greater horn, between facial and superior thyroid arteries) |
| Venous Drainage | Lingual Vein |
