Discussion of clinical anatomy of the lingual nerves.

The tongue has various functions, such as gustation, pronunciation, mastication, and deglutition. The nerve fibers are complexly intermingled, and communications between the lingual nerve and the hypoglossal nerve have been reported. Fifteen Japanese heads (30 sides) donated to the 2nd-year students dissection course at the Nippon Dental University School of Life Dentistry, Niigata, were studied with regard to the following aspects: 1.