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Foramen cecum of tongue

The foramen cecum is a small, pit-like depression located at the midline on the dorsal surface of the tongue, at the apex of the sulcus terminalis. It marks the embryological origin of the thyroid gland, representing the proximal end of the thyroglossal duct. While usually of no clinical consequence in adults, this anatomical landmark is significant in both developmental biology and in the differential diagnosis of midline cystic lesions in the tongue and floor of mouth.

Anatomical Features

  • Situated at the junction of the anterior two-thirds and posterior one-third of the tongue

  • Appears as a tiny, blind pit (about 2-3 mm in diameter) in the midline

  • Embryologically, it is the site where the thyroid primordium descends into the neck

MRI Appearance

T1-Weighted Images

  • The foramen cecum itself is not usually distinctly visualized unless pathologically dilated or associated with a thyroglossal duct cyst

  • If present as a simple pit, appears as a small, low-signal focus at the junction of the anterior and posterior tongue

T2-Weighted Images

  • Foramen cecum may appear as a small, high-signal intensity pit if fluid or cystic content is present (such as in a persistent thyroglossal duct cyst)

  • Normal foramen cecum is usually inconspicuous

STIR Sequence

  • Helpful for detecting associated fluid-filled lesions or inflammation

  • A foramen cecum with cystic changes (e.g., thyroglossal duct cyst) will appear hyperintense on STIR due to high water content

  • In normal cases, foramen cecum remains minimally visible

CT Appearance

  • The foramen cecum is not generally visualized on CT due to its small size and soft tissue density

MRI images

Foramen cecum of tongue mri axial image -img-00000-00000