Let's learn about the most important blood vessel that carries blood to your tongue: the lingual artery.

Have you ever wondered how much work our tongue and the muscles inside our mouth do when we talk, taste, and eat? Who provides the energy, that is, the blood that contains nutrients and oxygen, for all of this? That's where our speaker today comes in, the very important blood vessel called the 'Lingual Artery' . Although the name may sound a bit strange, this one is indispensable for the health of our mouth. Today, we will talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.

Simply put, what is the lingual artery?

Simply put, the lingual artery is a major blood vessel (artery) that carries blood from your neck to various parts of your mouth. There are two of these blood vessels on either side of your jawbone. This is the blood vessel that supplies the muscles and tissues we use when we speak and eat.

Think of it like a main water pipe that supplies water to a small town inside your mouth. If that pipe stops working, the entire town will stop working. If this blood vessel is damaged, the functioning of our mouth can be greatly affected.

Where does this blood vessel supply blood to?

This supplies blood to many important areas in your mouth. The main ones are:

• Your Tongue: This is the one that supplies blood to all the functions of the tongue.
• Muscles in the mouth: Muscles that help you speak and chew food.
• Floor of your mouth.
• Roof of your mouth - palate.
• Tonsils.
• Epiglottis: The small part that closes the windpipe when we swallow food.
• Salivary glands: One of the glands that produce saliva.
• Jaw.

Where is this blood vessel located? What are its parts?

The lingual artery branches off from the external carotid artery, a large blood vessel that runs up and down your neck. Starting in your neck, it travels forward, under your jaw, under your tongue, and ends at the tip of your tongue.

Think of it like a long road. It has three main parts:

1. First part: This is the starting point. That is, the part closest to where it separates from the external carotid artery.

2. Part Two: This part runs deep down, under your chin, and forward.

3. Third part: This part runs from under the tongue to the top.

What are the main branches of the lingual artery?

The main blood vessel branches off into smaller branches that carry blood to different places. It's like a big road branching off into smaller roads. Let's see what those main branches are.

What conditions can affect the lingual artery?

Although this blood vessel is very safe, in some cases it can become damaged or become diseased.

Especially during surgery to remove a tumor in the mouth or neck, surgery for difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), or surgery for sleep apnea, the surgeon will be working near this blood vessel. Therefore, great care must be taken not to damage it. If it is damaged, it can cause excessive bleeding or even death of the tongue tissue.

Below are some other conditions that affect this blood vessel and their symptoms.

How is the health of this blood vessel checked and treated?

If any symptoms arise, your doctor may refer you for various tests to check the condition of this blood vessel.

Tests

• Ultrasound scan: An image of the blood vessels is obtained using sound waves.
• CT Angiogram (Computed Tomography - CT Angiogram): A detailed three-dimensional image of the blood vessels is obtained using X-rays and a computer.
• MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiogram - MRA): Images of blood vessels are obtained using a magnetic field.

Treatments

Treatment depends on the condition. Some examples are:

• Statin-type medications are given to prevent blood vessel narrowing after radiation treatment for cancer.
• A minor surgery performed for a `pseudoaneurysm` condition.
• Corticosteroid medication for Temporal Arteritis.
• Surgery for tongue cancer or facial trauma.

What can we do to keep this blood vessel healthy?

This is nothing new. The same things you do to keep your blood vessels healthy throughout your body are important here. There's nothing special you can do for the lingual artery. In general, it's best to follow a healthy lifestyle.

• Exercise most days.
• Stop using tobacco products (such as cigarettes, beedis) completely.
• Eat foods low in saturated fats ( reduce oil, fried foods, and fatty meats).
• Reduce the amount of salt added to food.
• Limit alcohol consumption.

The lingual artery is essential for keeping your mouth and tongue functioning properly by supplying them with the blood and oxygen they need. So try to keep all your blood vessels healthy through good eating habits and a healthy lifestyle. Also, by regularly seeing your doctor for checkups, any problems can be identified and treated early.