Frenal is an adjective that refers to anything related to or associated with the frenulum, which is a small fold of tissue in the body. The frenulum is often found in various parts of the human body, including the mouth, genitals, and other areas with movable or stretchable parts.
In dental terms, the word frenal is often used to describe the frenulum found in the mouth, specifically concerning the tissues connecting the lips to the gums or the tongue to the floor of the mouth. There are two main frenula in the mouth: the labial frenulum and the lingual frenulum. The labial frenulum connects the inside of the upper or lower lip to the gums, while the lingual frenulum connects the undersurface of the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
When discussing frenal issues, one may encounter terms like frenectomy or frenotomy, which are surgical procedures to release or modify the frenulum. Frenal attachments that are excessively tight or restrictive can cause issues such as difficulty with speech, mouth movements, or orthodontic complications.
Beyond dentistry, frenal may also be used to describe frenula present in other parts of the body, such as the genitals. For instance, the frenulum of the penis is a sensitive band of tissue that connects the glans to the shaft of the penis. Similarly, the frenulum of the clitoris is a fold of tissue that connects the clitoral hood to the clitoral glans.
Overall, frenal refers to anything pertaining to the frenulum, serving to describe anatomical structures, issues, or surgical procedures related to these small folds of tissue found in various areas of the body.
