Ankyloglossia
Pronunciation: ang-kee-loh-GLOS-ee-ah
A congenital oral condition in which an abnormally short, thick, or anteriorly attached lingual frenum restricts normal tongue mobility.
Full Definition
Ankyloglossia, commonly called 'tongue-tie', results from incomplete separation of the lingual frenum during fetal development. The condition exists on a spectrum from mild (partial restriction) to complete (the tongue is fused to the floor of the mouth). It can impair breastfeeding in neonates, affect speech development in children, and restrict mandibular tongue movement in adults. In surgical documentation, editors should note that the preferred clinical term is 'ankyloglossia', not the lay term 'tongue-tie', in formal case notes and consent documents. Assessment tools such as the Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function (HATLFF) may be referenced in clinical reports.
Usage
Usage note: In clinical and medico-legal documents, prefer 'ankyloglossia' over 'tongue-tie'. Patient-facing documents may use both in parallel.
In Context
- "The neonate was referred to the oral surgery unit with a diagnosis of posterior ankyloglossia affecting latching during breastfeeding." — Referral Letter
- "Patient-facing materials should use 'tongue-tie' as a plain-English equivalent of 'ankyloglossia'." — Patient Information Leaflet