title: Measurement of infant tongue thickness using ultrasound: a technical note.
abstract: Novel uses of ultrasound include obtaining images of intra-oral structures to further research in speech production and feeding. In this technical note we describe a noninvasive, cost-effective, and reliable method for measuring infant tongue muscle thickness. The current pilot study demonstrates high reliability of a trained ultrasonographer to obtain adequate images of the infant tongue and the ability to measure reliably between two anatomic landmarks to determine tongue thickness and investigate a potential relationship between tongue size and tongue force.
authors.affiliation: Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Kentucky, 900 S. Limestone, Room 124G, Lexington, KY 40536-0200, USA.
authors.forename: Gilson J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Capilouto
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Frederick
authors.forename: Harigovinda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Challa
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014059:Tongue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography