Frenum

Frenum is a small fold of tissue that secures or restricts the motion of a mobile organ in the body. There are several types of frenum in the human body, including the lingual frenum, labial frenum, and the penile or clitoral frenum.

Anatomy

The lingual frenum is a fold of mucous membrane that extends from the floor of the mouth to the midline of the underside of the tongue. This frenum can sometimes be overly short or tight, a condition known as ankyloglossia or "tongue-tie".

The labial frenum can refer to either the fold of tissue in the midline of the upper lip, connecting the lip to the gum above the two front teeth, or the similar fold of tissue under the lower lip. An overly prominent or misaligned upper labial frenum can cause a gap between the two front teeth, known as a diastema.

The penile frenum is a band of tissue located on the underside of the penis, connecting the foreskin to the vernal mucosa. The clitoral frenum is a similar structure in females, connecting the clitoral hood to the clitoral glans.

Clinical significance

Problems with the frenum can lead to a variety of health issues. An overly tight lingual frenum can interfere with speech and feeding in infants, and may need to be corrected with a minor surgical procedure known as a frenectomy. Similarly, an overly prominent or misaligned labial frenum can cause a gap between the front teeth or contribute to gum disease, and may also need to be corrected with a frenectomy.

See also

• Ankyloglossia
• Frenectomy
• Diastema

References

Frenum Resources
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