The fimbriated fold of tongue, also plica fimbriata is a slight fold of the
mucous membrane
A mucous membrane or mucosa is a membrane that lines various cavities in the body of an organism and covers the surface of internal organs. It consists of one or more layers of epithelial cells overlying a layer of loose connective tissue. It is ...
on the underside of the tongue which runs laterally on either side of the
frenulum
A frenulum (or frenum, plural: frenula or frena, from the Latin ''frēnulum'', "little bridle", the diminutive of ''frēnum'') is a small fold of tissue that secures the motion of a mobile organ in the body.
In human anatomy
Frenula on the h ...
. The free edge of the fimbriated fold occasionally exhibits a series of fringe-like processes. (''Fimbria'' is Latin for ''fringe'').
Some people have small (<1 cm) horn-like triangular flaps of "skin" (
mucosa
A mucous membrane or mucosa is a membrane that lines various cavities in the body of an organism and covers the surface of internal organs. It consists of one or more layers of epithelial cells overlying a layer of loose connective tissue. It is ...
) under their tongue. They are on each side of the frenulum (the piece of tissue connecting the bottom of the tongue to the inside of the mouth) under the tongue and run parallel next to the two distinct veins. They typically appear in pairs and may even be up to 4 or more sets, but for even those who have them only two closer to the tip are distinctly visible while the others are very minor or just small bumps. These are the "fringe-like processes" part of the "fimbriated fold".
They are normal residual tissue not completely reabsorbed by the body during the development and growth of the tongue.
See also
*
Frenulum of tongue
The frenulum of tongue or tongue web (also lingual frenulum or frenulum linguæ; also fraenulum) is a small fold of mucous membrane extending from the floor of the mouth to the midline of the underside of the tongue.
Development
The tongue start ...
References
External links
Diagram at sci.port.ac.uk
Tongue
{{Portal bar, Anatomy