dorsal lingual vein

The dorsal lingual vein is a vein that drains blood from the dorsum (upper surface) and sides of the tongue, emptying into the lingual vein as one of its tributaries.

The dorsal lingual vein is located on the upper and lateral surfaces of the tongue, running beneath the mucosa of the tongue's dorsum and sides before joining the lingual vein at the base of the tongue.

The dorsal lingual vein is involved in collecting and returning deoxygenated blood from the mucosa and musculature of the dorsal and lateral tongue surfaces to the lingual venous system.

Tongue cancer, glossitis, lingual venous engorgement, or venous anomalies of the tongue may be associated with changes affecting the dorsal lingual vein and surrounding tissues.

The dorsal lingual vein may be assessed through clinical oral examination, Doppler ultrasound of the tongue vasculature, or MRI of the oral cavity and tongue as part of a head and neck imaging evaluation.