Tissue that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth is called a lingual frenum. This band of tissue may be short, thick, wide and/or attached close to the tip of the tongue or inside the lower front teeth. The medical term for this atypical attachment is ‘ankyloglossia’, but it is more commonly known as ‘tongue tied’. Upper and lower lips and cheeks also have frenums that sometimes attach in areas that restrict full movement and development of the lips.
Not all tongue and lip ties are a problem, however if they affect the function of the lips and tongue they may need to be surgically released.