What condition is caused by a short lingual frenulum?

Ankyloglossia, commonly referred to as "tongue tie," occurs when the lingual frenulum—the band of tissue that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth—is shorter than usual. This shortened frenulum restricts the movement of the tongue, which can lead to various functional issues, such as difficulty in breastfeeding, problems with speech, and challenges with oral hygiene. Individuals with ankyloglossia may also experience difficulty with certain tongue movements, impacting their ability to articulate sounds correctly or move food around in the mouth effectively.

The other options represent different conditions that do not stem from a short lingual frenulum. For example, an edentulous ridge refers to a lack of teeth and is not directly related to frenulum length. Similarly, a short labial frenulum pertains to the tissue connecting the lip to the gums and is distinct from the lingual frenulum. Hyperglossia, on the other hand, refers to an unusually large tongue, which is not a result of a short frenulum but rather a growth condition. Thus, ankyloglossia is the specific condition directly linked to a short lingual frenulum.