Osmosis video - Development of the tongue

The tongue develops from the first four pharyngeal arches at around week 4 of the intrauterine life. Pharyngeal arches are paired embryological and primitive structures, which give rise to different structures as the embryo develops.

The anterior two-thirds of the tongue develops from the tuberculum impar (a medial swelling from the first pharyngeal arch); and two lateral lingual swellings. Next, the median sulcus forms from the growth of the lateral lingual swellings, which merge along the midline over the tuberculum impar. The posterior one-third develops from the second pharyngeal arch, and the third and fourth pharyngeal arch. The muscles of the tongue develop from the myoblasts (embryologic precursors of muscles) that have originated from the occipital somites (blocks of mesodermal tissue that give rise to different structures, including muscles and bones)