NORMAL FETAL TONGUE  

 

The tongue is an ovoid echogenic structure bounded laterally by the mandibles, and posteriorly by the laryngeal pharynx, which is anechoic (and always contains fluid).

 

 

 

 

Video clip of the normal Tongue

 

 

 

It can be demonstrated from 14 weeks onward and its biometry can be measured.
 

Tongue Circumference (measured with electronic calipers) (1)

 

Gestational
Age (wks)

Lower 95% CI

Mean

Upper 95% CI

14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

24
26
33
37
40
47
47
51
52
58
60
68
71

28
33
36
37
43
48
51
55
58
62
64
70
73

31
36
38
38
46
51
56
61
62
68
67
73
76

CI = Confidence interval.
 

 

 

REFERENCES
  1. Achiron R, Ben Arie A, Gabbay U et.al. Development of the fetal tongue between 14 and 26 weeks of gestation: in utero ultrasonographic measurements. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 1997;9:39-41.