tongue tie
Noun: A congenital condition where the band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth (the lingual frenulum) is unusually short, thick, or tight, restricting the tongue's range of motion.
The term "tongue tie" is used primarily in medical and informal contexts to describe the physical condition itself. * The pediatrician diagnosed the baby with a tongue tie, which was affecting breastfeeding. * A severe tongue tie can sometimes interfere with speech articulation later in childhood. * The procedure to correct a tongue tie is called a frenotomy.
- "To be tongue-tied": This is a common idiomatic expression derived from the condition. It means to be unable to speak clearly or fluently, typically due to shyness, nervousness, or surprise. It does not refer to the medical condition.
- He was so nervous during the presentation that he became completely tongue-tied.
- She was tongue-tied with embarrassment.
- Ankyloglossia: (noun) The formal medical term for tongue tie.
- Lingual frenulum: (noun) The anatomical name for the band of tissue that is shortened in tongue tie.
- Frenotomy: (noun) The surgical procedure to release a tongue tie.
- Ankyloglossia (medical synonym)
The term has two distinct meanings: 1. Medical Condition: The primary meaning, as defined above. 2. Idiomatic State: The feeling of being unable to speak (as in "to be tongue-tied"). This is a figurative use and is far more common in everyday language than the medical reference.
- a congenital anomaly in which the mucous membrane under the tongue is too short limiting the mobility of the tongue