Tongue volume and the mandibular dentition

Abstract

A method utilizing the principle of fluid displacement was devised to measure the volume of the anterior portion of the tongue.A sample of thirty-nine men was used to test the relationships between measurable tongue volume, tongue length, certain angular cephalometric measurements, and lower arch dimensions. Seventeen subjects showing scalloping of the lateral borders of the tongue were compared with the main sample.Conclusions from this investigation are as follows: 1. 1. The volume of the anterior portion of the tongue can be measured with an average accuracy of 2.3 c.c. +/- 1.4 c.c., using the instrument described here.2. 2. In this sample, and with this method of measurement, the volume and length of the tongue seem to have little, if any, influence on the width and length of the lower dental arch, on the degree of interincisal relationship, and on the angle of the lower incisor teeth to the mandibular plane.3. 3. A statistically significant correlation of 0.4 exists between measurable tongue volume and arch perimeter.4. 4. Scalloping of the tongue does not appear to be an indication of a large tongue.