Congenital absence of lingual frenum in a non-syndromic patient: a case report

Abstract

Background The lingual frenum is a fold of mucous membrane connecting the ventral tongue to the floor of the mouth. In general, lingual frenum serves multiple roles; its main function is to support the tongue and aid in limiting its movement in different directions. Any anatomical or functional deficiency of lingual frenum may have an impact on tongue functions based on its severity. Historically, the absence of lingual frenum was linked to multiple genetic and developmental conditions such as infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, non-syndromic ankyloglossia diseases, and Ehlers–Danlos syndromes and was never reported in otherwise healthy individuals. Case presentation We report the absence of lingual frenum in an otherwise healthy 21-year-old Middle Eastern woman diagnosed during a routine dental examination. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case to be reported in the literature with similar clinical presentation. Even without a significant impact on tongue movement or speech, it is important for health practitioners to be aware of such conditions and evaluation steps for diagnosis and management.

An Absent Lingual Frenulum in a Non-syndromic Premature Infant

“…She did not have a speech impediment and did not meet the diagnostic criteria for EDS. A family screening indicated neither a family history of EDS nor an absent LF [6]. Similarly, the current case report presents a nonsyndromic premature infant who was found to have an absent LF.…”

Pigmented Fungiform Papillae of the Tongue and Lingual Fimbriae as Single Presentation in Adult: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…21 During this phase, a deep sulcus develops in front of and on both sides of the tongue which gives the tongue its mobility. 22 Normally, apoptosis separates the tongue from the floor of the mouth, and the only tissue that remains to anchor the tongue to the mouth floor is the frenulum. 23 The incomplete apoptosis in the ventral surface of the tongue results a normal residual tissue not completely reabsorbed by the body during the development and growth of the tongue and which is called lingual fimbriae.…”

Double lingual frenulum: a case report

“…Another known anomaly is absence of the lingual frenulum. It can be seen sporadically or associated with other conditions [ 3 ]. It is commonly seen in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.…”

“…It helps the tongue to move and perform its functions in swallowing, feeding, and speech. There are few anomalies that can affect the lingual frenulum and sometimes interfere with function, such as ankyloglossia, where the frenulum is attached near the tip of the tongue, commonly described as “tongue tie,” or absence of the lingual frenulum either sporadically or in some developmental conditions, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome [ 2 , 3 ]. To the best of our knowledge, the literature had not previously reported the possibility of having double lingual frenulum; for that reason, we report this case to educate practitioners about the potential presence of such an anomaly.…”